In the end

I hope to keep you always alive in memory

I remember so often our later years

Sitting hand in hand

Me pottering around dusting your room

Laden with your own memories

Of how we sang and laughed

And of that wicked way you had

I remember the dead flowers you loved to keep

And how ferocious you became

When Mum wanted to discard them

(Having been wounded one too many times

by her perfectionism.)

You were a different breed

Strong and brave and brazen and free

Never able to accede totally

To restrictions placed upon you

And I remember when you said

Never Never Never Never Never

Let anyone else try to tell you how to live

And I remember as autumnal afternoons draw in

The call that came to say

It was getting close to the end

So many things we did not get to share

With me often still

Holding you at arms length

But for me you are never far away

And whenever I remember you

Inside my mind I hear your voice

Drawing close to me

Bringing reassurance

To me with these words you said

Everything will work out for good

In the end