This poem was distributed in June 2020 in the first ever edition of the letter series, Raven Mail.

 

GRIEVANCE

Young life takes leave.
A loved young soul, when loved ones grieve,
Is borne to the Lord
on the wings of their sighs.
Who prays when an old man dies?

Young blood runs cold.
A loved young tale is told & told.
But when a life of time
has frayed love’s ties,
Who tells when an old man dies?

A young life lost.
A loved young pearl is sold at great cost.
But who’s got a copper
for an old man’s eyes?
Who pays when an old man dies?

A young man falls.
Loved young throats fill grand old halls.
I’ll fall to the tune
of a raven’s cries.
Who sings when an old man dies?

Lombardy, June 2020

A monthly glimpse through another pair of eyes, delivered to your door: sign up to Raven Mail 2021 now.