What Need Have I?

 

What Need Have I?

 

I often see you talking to yourself -

no crime there, an overactive mind

crushed just once too many times,

perhaps, telling stories.

Recalling that long winding path

up mountainside, rain or shine,

just a treasured hour’s respite to compose –

songs, stories, complex narratives

before floods hit of shoveled shit.

I cannot reach you in this state,

they came, they went

and most took something with them.

Here’s her iron gate,

your journey’s nearly done and sealed

just round the corner, up the rise

scuff that last bit with reluctant heels

and I can see you from here,

all those years ago.

You don’t care here and now,

things ran their course, she left skid marks

says ‘live, love and life’s too short’

but her words were cheaply bought

and speak of suffering.

I know you miss him, too

wonder if he’s up there watching you,

grinning at how it all panned out.

And if he’s written in the sky,

you look up and wonder if he will reply –

what need have I?