Bell-Birds Poem by Phillip Ellis

Memories I have, bell-birds
ringing in the heat of the day
and a secluded spot, words
unable to drive away

the sound of bell-birds ringing
and overpowering speech.
I dream I hear them singing
but dreams still stay out of reach.

Glorious years and years cold
have intervened, and yet still
although I’m left, feeling old,
and though I’m left, feeling ill,

the dream remains and is wine
to keep inside me. At night,
I remember, dream I’m fine
and young, the bell-birds, the light.

Returning, and thirty years,
silence and dark reveries,
there are no bell-birds, I fear
all that’s left are memories.