Kit Kelen #607 - it begins

607

it begins

for Cat

harder with the barrow

harder with the spade, the fork

harder uphill

and more timid down

the spread ache

like a gift of dance

turns us through days

remembers

forgets

it begins

all the years of us

counted, amaze

things from the year of my birth

are surviving

all breakfast to consider

we like a list

the sky as in

here rain fell

you listen to the roof now

harder to remember

harder to forget

there’s nothing much

before our time

except somehow we’ve to be

strain is a gift

of knowledge to come

the cough comes on

what we know now would kill a dog

lights burn in the mirror behind us

head height in front

why are they shouting now?

cough goes on

every god clamours for prayer

so let them

let fools tell fear

let them tell what can’t be known

as if other bodies

were anticipated

we know better

chime in with wise saws

drowse in the day

now that sleep’s wakeful

the forgetting begins

that’s a deep forest

it’s almost as far as we can remember

is there a doctor will beat on this chest?

when did this cough begin?

inches closer – the fatal star

the sun we cannot know

it begins

harder with the barrow

harder with the spade, the fork

harder uphill

more timid down

out here radio still crackles

you can hiss back too

the worse the news

the less surprise

get over yourself

is what they all say

nod off in the show

rage fades with wisdom

where’s love to shelter?

a mind’s eye glint persisting

we head off salt and pepper

we come back full of snow

children see in your hands

the amazement of time

like blood now that you know where it goes

the world is heavier

we must tread lightly

I think it must be beginning today

and yet we’re still to shine