Another day goes by

Another day goes by,
another day in my life forever lost.
So many days have gone this way,
leaving me with a sense of waste.
As I near a half century in years,
those lost days count ever higher.

Am I to leave this realm,
never knowing why it was like this?
I am lucky, I can read, write,
communicate with an audience.
There is a pleasure in that for me.
A satisfaction of reaching others.

If I am lucky, I have a third of my life left.
What to do with that time I am unsure.
I could read myself into oblivion,
for what purpose? Self gratification?
I could write my thoughts for all to see,
a lasting legacy that might live on?

I have no wish to make you despair,
I am not in a maudlin mood.
There are things I want to do (see),
people I would like to meet (love).
But I need to find a purpose,
one that feeds the hunger.

Today I add to my legacy,
more lines from the rhythms of my mind.
Undulating, like the Norfolk countryside
I have made my home.
I share my life with you this way
because I have nothing else to give.

©2011 Trevor Litchfield

If I were younger

If I were younger,

I could not want you more than I do now.

My desire would be just as overwhelming.

I love the way you play with your hair.

Tugging at it gently as we talk,

Twisted between your fingers, selfconsciously.

Your smile lights up the room,

I can't help but smile with you.

How I wish the day would never end.

We talk, open and honestly.

We are so comfortable together.

Easy with each other, relaxed.

I'm glad I met you,

I would not change a thing.

I am so lucky; you are a friend.

So, I am happy with who we are,

When we met and in an odd way,

I am so glad I am not younger

because we would not be who we are now.

We could not be honest and open,

You might reject. I might disappoint,

Your friendship I cherish,

I could not suffer it's loss.

You are in my heart,

There you will stay until it beats no more.

©2011 Trevor Litchfield

Along the riverbank

Along the riverbank, where the tall reeds grow

Is a place of solitude with only natures silence

The sun shines through, reaching the reedy glade

Offering light for the thoughts within me

I lay me down on the flattened grass

A place I have lain so often this summer

Staring up into the blue and white heavens

Letting my world slip away, easing my soul

Muscles relax after the long walk by the water

Aches seem to drift away, even on this hard ground

As my muscles ease and so my mind is freed

Thinking of what might have been

Thinking of nothing at all, at least trying!

The swirls in the clouds bring life to the sky

Shapes of everyday common objects, formed

I delight in seeing these familiar visions

Common, yet shaped within my thoughts

Reeds rustle as the evening breeze moves in

Time to leave my place of hiding

Taking my place in a misunderstanding world

Marlow in Buckinghamshire
http://www.oldukphotos.com/buckinghamshire_great_marlow.htm

©2011 Trevor Litchfield

A good clear out!

Sometimes your cupboards get over full,

it needs a good clear out of the rubbish.

Old clothes that you no longer wear

need to be sorted and discarded.

That old pair of jeans that are full of holes,

that old shirt that has seen better days.

They all need clearing to make room

for new and different clothes.

Then you turn your attention to the bookcase,

over burdened with books read and unread.

Which should you keep, which to pass on?

There are plenty of new books to fill the gaps

but you have to make the gaps to be refilled.

Your mind churns as does your heart,

memories of this or that one

Good reads all apart from those untouched.

Your rooms are now cleared and tidy,

life feels better, lighter somehow.

All those clothes don't need washing,

all those books don't need dusting.

Sitting back with a mug of tea,

you glory in a job well done.

Time for new beginnings, new clothes,

new books to read, hoping that nothing will be missed.

©2011 Trevor Litchfield

Misty Morning

Early morning mist casts an eerie spell

dawns early light diffused in vapour

Faerie kisses on the early spring grass

Spiders webs glisten in the hedgerow

Birdsong all around, nature is awake

welcoming the dawn of a new day.

A walker appears through the mist.

A dog trotting ahead, nose high,

leaving paw prints in the wet grass.

The first of many to go this way,

along the riverbank, enjoying life.

Taking in the splendour of the morn.

The river calm in the morning mist.

Rowers sliding their way upstream,

disturbing water fowl as they glide by.

Crews practising for that strenuous day

when they face other boats in competition.

Gentle wakes reach the shore and lap.

Fishermen cast their lines out into the water.

Floats bobbing on the flow, drifting.

A float sinks, a fish is snagged,

reeled in, fighting all the way.

To be weighed and placed in the net,

finally to be set free and caught again.

The sun climbs, the mist evaporates.

Joggers are seen in the distance.

Cyclists glide by on the tow path.

Pleasure craft move in the water,

water fowl disturbed once again

fly into the warm air, squawking.

A lone cormorant keeps vigil

from a derelict post in the water.

Looking deep into the dark fluid,

watching for breakfast within the flow.

It stretches it's wings in anticipation

of that dive into the water, plunging.

And so the riverbank comes alive

bringing life and pleasure to all.

Some are here to escape their lives

others are here because of life.

All are here to feel the oneness

that the riverbank offers us all.

©2011 Trevor Litchfield

I Am Your Candle

A delicate light comes forth

small yet shapely and defined.

Barely enough to read by

casting long shadows over the page.

'Twas a time when this gallant flame,

oversaw treason and treachery.

It offers seductive splendour,

befitting lovers entwined on a rug.

Extinguished with a breath

it brings strength in the dark.

Not enough to heat a meal,

yet strong enough to melt hearts.

Gifting light when most needed,

imparting spirituality where none exist.

I see your soul through pupils reflection,

I bring warmth to all that wish to look.

For I am the light your heart desires,

I am your candle when you need light most.

©2011 Trevor Litchfield

Long Night

Another day reaches it's climax,

darkness shrouds the skyline.

Stars glitter within the dark blanket

Light pollution hides other sights.

Light filters through gaps in the curtains,

proving life goes on when we sleep.

Electricity burned throughout the night,

offering sanctuary from the dark.

The uneaten apple sits on the table

testament to a hunger unfulfilled.

It reflects the artificial light, reddened.

Full of promise, it stays untouched.

Cold coffee stagnates in the mug

resting aside the uneaten apple.

Another sign of desires left discarded,

abandoned to decay in the night.

Shadows fall on common objects,

offering different views to tired eyes.

Shapes unrecognisable yet familiar,

bring different life to the room.

Spectres on the edge of vision,

creep across the room, ghostly.

Headlights travel down the street,

cutting through the gloom of night.

Red eyes stare from one corner,

electric entertainment on standby.

Waiting for light and life to return,

bringing meaning to the room again.

My slow breathing the only sound,

as I sit on the sofa, watching the night.

I think of things to come, things passed,

The night goes on, seconds tick by.

©2011 Trevor Litchfield

My request is simple, my desire selfish

I would love some peace and quiet

Nothing from the outside getting in

Nothing inside but me, my noises.

No distractions but those I desire

I never thought I would want these things

I would like to live my life the way I want

Without fear of interruption or questioning.

There is always a background

Always a noise distilling into my thoughts.

Never a moment without demands!

Always there is more to answer to.

To be in the fields or among trees

Soaking up sunshine, listening to nature

Watching birds flit from tree to bush

Butterflies floating by on the breeze.

These are the sights and sounds I need

To be free and allowed to be me.

©2011 Trevor Litchfield

I simply am

When all around is calm
and life makes it’s leisurely way
through the thoughts in my mind.
I get to a point where I don’t even think,
I simply am!

The day passes, sunlight and clouds,
reflecting the memories recalled.
Of people I once knew,
of places I once belonged
A life lived!

Looking forward to new people,
new places and memories.
The sun shines on these happy thoughts
bringing hope where once lived none
A life to live.

©2011 Trevor Litchfield