Tender for the years
That have passed
Silver in my beard
The signs of wisdom
I hope not weariness
Sit with me in silence
Spill the deluge of your day
And let it soak my skin
But not my soul
You’ve a rock to rest upon
A shelter who knows when
To let the sunlight in
Red in tooth and claw when
Called upon,
Not the wet nosed puppy
Too impressed with you
To be useful
But a larger, rougher
Beast who stays their paws
Except to rub your feet
And growl for you
To tell me of your day
And all its colours.
I shall make you small
Safe but never
Undiminished
Seen but not worshipped
And here, as the sunlight fades
Pastel washes pooling in your
Eyes
I’m thick with wonder.
Kiss me
To compelling silence
MB Blissett 