In the shade of a bar close to harbour

Sun drenched boats in waters blue

Parasols flail in off-shore breeze

As the pain of past months seems to ease.

The phone has ceased ringing, E-mails have stopped

‘Urgent’ texts cannot be received.

A sense of calm is falling

Time to think, to compose, to read.

Small boat roars to life in an instant

Heads turn to locate the noise

Large yacht saunters round

Seeking mooring

As lone dogs’ bark

Echoes round town.

Twenty five years have past

Since last within these shores

Seven of pain and grieving

Eighteen of opening new doors.

Flags flapping above headland fort

Sails straining as breeze gathers pace 

Town, now mainly deserted

Hot sun driving many to shade.

Can’t really say how it happened,

How such a good friend should slip from my grasp?

Why the years should roll steadily onward –

Save,  that fear played a serious part.

Locals working hard to make money

With economy taking a dive

Faces etched with the stress of taxation

Tourists oblivious of day to day strife.

It’s strange to be here.

With others

Though good that my family can see

How this place holds

A special meaning,

That reunion is needed

Needed for the completeness of me.