
The cold and cruel
outer world will always win
but not in our hearts
copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019

copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019

There’s a darkness over this land
even in the midday sun.
July may be warm and the children off school
but their diurnal play, the boisterous shouts
and brief tears of drama
leave me cold.
I’ve seen through this shadow of impermanence,
the frail beauty and cheap happiness of now;
they carry the seeds of sorrow and my remembrance.
It’s all that’s left of me
copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019

copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019

I get out and walk every day,
try to feel alive and worthwhile,
try to make every step count,
try to chip little bits off this monolith
blocking the pure steam of light in to my mind.
You may say I’m shy, that I’m retiring,
as if the seven ages of man ever counted
for anything,
when you or I could drop dead at any time.
But I really can’t care
even though you are right – I am not alone,
the first, or the last.
I am not the first to feel slighted, rejected,
belittled,
but only I know what it’s like
to be me
and I will remember, counting
the days until the last piece of this monolith
is washed down the drain and life begins anew.
copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019

copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019