With Shallow Breath and Song

On night with school of art ablaze,

With shallow breath and turn of palm you call our names: stay.

You rest, then once again you say with whispered quiet strength: stay.

Soon, with dreams and hope of youth long past,

The fire hushed, you breathe the shallow breath.

Time is nothing but a moment spent alone or with.

Do not leave my reach, my hold of hand, my touch.

With shadow breath,

With mourning sound of blackbird song,

You close your eyes: stay.

. . .


On 15 June 2018, the Glasgow school of art was engulfed by a devastating fire, the second in five years. Here I write of the building, of love, and the parting of memory.

This poem forms part of the author's collected thoughts WITH AND ALONE.