Saffie

Saffie

A well meaning poem

Read out loud

Recited with feeling

To the gathered crowd

May bring comfort

For a short while

And conjure up the image

Of your smile

But after all

It’s just words

And it goes nowhere

Rising like vapour

Dispersed in thin air

Like a statement a minister’s

Bound to prepare

Like a mother’s cry met

With a tearful stare

Indeed, like this piece

I’ve written for you

(Though I tried my hardest

To make it true)

It won’t stop the flow

Of endless tears shed

Nor alter the path

Of the easily led

If I could gather up the bad

Make it all good

Then hand it back

(Like a caring God should)

Drag you away

From where the beast stood

And bring you home safe

Believe me

I would