A Treasured Care Poem by Jonathan Howard

There was a bond, I treasured it,
And I did see that act as fi t;
It held my feelings for you bright and clear.

You were the light that on me shone,
And made me king upon my throne,
My heart then followed you, as I’m sincere.

But I could not yet see,
What was that in me?
Did I trust again –
Naïve as a wren?

I feel as if,
I’m no-more stiff;
My armoured steel
Is no more real!

I now know you wouldn’t lay fi ngers on me,
For, if you were to – You’d mourn and we’d see,
You’re full of what no other person will earn.

For any other’s rotten to the soul,
What they deserve is so plainly: on coal
To be heated and moistened and fi nally burn!

(Winter 2004-2005.)