Soul Winds (Poetry)

In amongst all the pain tonight —
the peaks and the lulls —
I heard your voice telling me
I should hold on.
It’s the first time we’ve spoken
in thirty-odd years
yet it didn’t seem strange —
even knowing you’re gone.

It’s a wonder I heard you —
picked out your soft tones
through the ache and the roar —
all that shudder and moan
in the small-houred darkness
the sense of you came
suddenly — urgently saying my name —
I listened — was comforted — imagining how

you had managed to reach me
for the chasm yawns wide —
me with the living
you on the far side
where I thought I was going
until your voice said
I’ve work left to finish
and more lies ahead...

’though pain is still twisting
your words echo near —
borne in on the soul winds —
they breathe in my ear
my sails fill with courage
the day will break fine
the sky washed for summer
my world turned benign.