Back in Edinburgh - and 'someone leans near'

Back in Edinburgh today, and managed to fit in a brief walk along our favourite canal (as per main snap) earlier this afternoon ...

... very sadly, just heard the news that Toni Morrison had died yesterday --- most well-known for her novels, she did write some stunning poetry too. Here's one of my favourites:


Someone leans near

Someone leans near
And sees the salt your eyes have shed.

You wait, longing to hear
Words of reason, love or play
To lash or lull you toward the hollow day.

Silence kneads your fear
Of crumbled star-ash sifting down
Clouding the rooms here, here.

You shore up your heart to run. To stay.
But no sign or design marks the narrow way.

Then on your skin a breath caresses
The salt your eyes have shed.

And you remember a call clear, so clear
"You will never die again."

Once more you know
You will never die again.

---

Toni Morrison (1931 - 2019)

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