Six weeks old for thirty years,
Baptised and blessed by all the tears
across the years and years
Instead of grieving,  I am blessed
by a passing presence: the weave and weft.
of before, during, after wards.
I opened my heart to the misery
of those who live without hope.
Learnt to walk in another’s steps,
Learnt never to avert my gaze,
Always give all that you have to give,
See with the eyes of a child.
Learn
not to count on money, my friend -
its value comes and goes -
instead, count your hours, days,
minutes, seconds, breaths
Do not be bereft.
For time is the currency of love, my friend,
and time is without end.
Love is what remains:
as time flashes by,
like a glint in the night sky.