For Mary (Lost April 5th,1988) Poem by Eric Ratcliffe

Her beating heart in atoms lies,
so freedom lives when freedom dies.
When moment cannot lengthen day
the pastel flesh must fade away
and leave her friends to agonise

All flowers decay where stems arise,
the fragrance passes and it's wise
to know a rose can never stay
- like Mary.

That body, which was soul's disguise,
the darting flames will carbonise.
My loss the thought that, though I pray,
I miss the words no voice can say,
no mouth can form, no lips devise
- like Mary.