However Long

How Ever Long

How ever long since the porch sat bare
Empty and silent without you there
Calling to the wind goes the sailing leaf
Crisp with the color of sadness and grief

Flushed with mourning is autumn's copper tint
But oft a memory of you in sunset’s glint
Shining and brilliant each page of your life
A flowing pen wetted with tears and strife

Alas the pen flows no more, but is silent and still
Sitting on the parchment, heedless of its will
And now the porch sits empty and bare
Ever so silent without you there

Oh, ever in springtime with the flowing brook
Illustrating the pages of a remarkable book
Swept away in gaiety without a single care
Oh, happy and free, when you were there

A flood of memories so poignant remains
That of distinction and honour proclaims
Oh, one such as this shall in memory keep
While in dour procession we freely weep

Soon comes winter's cold and bitter chill
As autumn settles under the snow-covered hill
And ever for spring, we longing forbear
Staring at the porch, empty and bare

How ever long the memories will remain
Filled with the sunshine of springtime’s refrain
Oh, when autumn’s leaves have fallen to the ground
In springtime, they return and anew are found

©1999 Brian Duffin