in memory of c.a.l.l. born 27 november 1919 died 16 november 2001

your birth was ninety years ago today

a matter to recall with lots of pride

but just nine years ago you went away

 

into the dust back to the primal clay

and kept still secret all you chose to hide

your birth was ninety years ago today

 

in warm november when no skies were grey

in willow walk right next to mountainside

but just nine years ago you went away

 

in a strange land where other rules  have play

your ashes sit not too far from the tide

your birth was ninety years ago today

 

so we remember and with no delay

cast our minds back to thank and not to chide

but just nine years ago you went away

 

and we cannot forget that painful day

the words that crossed the water never lied

your birth was ninety years ago today

but just nine years ago you went away

exegesis

no meaning in these texts that is not bright

even in caverns that have known no sun

nor any warming heat since world begun

their sense is clarity their essence light

each word is set to open up in flight

as avian wisdom that we could not shun

even rock-bound its glories seem to stun

the wary heart with knowledge of the right

so having learnt a simple truth we turn

our faces to the task that now seems plain

to uncurl horrors and restore the chief

dependency of each old mind to earn

the wages of such learning once again

in this cold season of the fallen leaf