To All at B.M.S. Centre

at the start of a long journey

In early morning air outside
this generous house, as crows freewheel
and greens and reds and yellows glide
among the leaves, breeze-touched, I feel

awake, and deep-refreshed, and light.
And suddenly all is morning-bright.
And more than all I wish to say
a thankyou for my fortnight’s stay.

A precious start to a long way
of looking about, and leaving behind . . .
whatever riches I shall find
are for return; like early day

held for a moment, all too brief.
But restless winds will rustle and try
to share those treasures, leaf on leaf.
The first is as I say goodbye.