A journey of hope.

On Taking Off at Heathrow

If I see England from a cabin port –
Lanes deep in shadow, hedgerows frosted gold
By winter sun – then come images fraught
With sadness: brothers dispersed, mother old,
Friends long gone. Yet this boy beside me cries
And laughs and prods his neighbour gleefully,
For unburdened by memories he flies,
And flying, thinks on greater joy to be.
And who is right? Who knows if joy to come
Will outweigh joy lost, if at journey’s end
Welcome warmer than the now-fading sum
Of remembered farewells? This I learn: blend
Remembrance with hope, and while day is bright
Fare forward! do not think on coming night.

On taking off at Heathrow

Copyright © Matthew Harrison, 2009