Sometimes

My dear friend, Paul, who is now dead, had a daughter with many problems in her life. I know he loved her and tried so hard to ensure she stayed well ... and alive.

This was a tribute to his love for her and the troubles she faced.

Sometimes

Sometimes an asteroid collides

with the earth

Sometimes a snowflake lands

on the tip of a child's nose

Sometimes a pelican glides

across a pool of still water

Sometimes a fire burns

through the densest forest

Sometimes the wind cools

the sweat on our backs

Sometimes a life is lost and

sometimes so is reason

Birds and fire

snow and wind

have a reason for being

and so does 

a sign that shouts 'STOP'

on every street corner.

A sign may also whisper

how far to go ...

Every other day

between the walls of night

a light will shine

down the alley of darkness,

across the waves beyond the rocks,

to the captains on deck.

And we who witness

know the grief of drowning

in the foam of forgiveness.

Sometimes

our purpose is to watch only

and wait.

Sometimes

their purpose is to hurry up the cliffs

of success.

Sometimes

we earn our share of bread

at the table of reason

when we are a halo

on the shoulders of the captain.

In silhouette

the light that shines

reveals the true shape of all the crew

looking out across the sea.

Phillip Reed

28 July 2013

For Chantelle