distance defined
by blade on blade
of grass jewelled
with dew,
flamed green by sun.
I ruled a realm,
fought sword on claw
with monstrous things.
A thousand lives
I gave myself,
a thousand fates
and ways to die
between tall stems.
Cow parsley Prince,
under towered
castles in the sky.
Earliest awareness,
unquestioned love
for mother’s love,
distance defined
by the division
of man from boy.
My father always working-
driving his mower
over emerald lawns,
prime minister of paths
emperor of orchards
lord of wild brambles
in the cuckooed quiet of woods,
beneath the intoxication of pines.
Come evening,
hands bloodied
by the brutal thorns,
dad walked from the woods
of my far away dreams.
An unawares victor,
whistling pieces of tunes
recalled from the ‘forties,
he would meet me with a smile
that warmed the space between.