Yesterday a poet died

Yesterday a poet died

Today I'll walk on grass barefoot, blades on my sole

crouch by the lavenders surviving- thriving- in half an inch of soil, mostly stones

and wait for bees and hummingbird hawkmoths dancing

for ants about their business, woodlice,

for evidence of spiders silver strung in wild clematis 

and quick slick lizards. 

I'll breathe in the honeysuckle, jasmine, roses mingled

clamour of blackcaps and redstarts

spring to summer songs 

I'll look at clouds and colours, think of palettes, poetry

of Helen, clear and beautiful

her mother's helping hand, uplifting

welcomed home at last.

8th June 2017, Hounoux,  In memoriam Helen Dunmore.