2007 Poetry Outstanding Entry

In the hospital dawn
five floors up
your pain stilled
by first light
a harbour view beyond -

We try to accept its expanse
of water and sky
streaked with beauty
as you are streaked within
by the stain that will take you
three short weeks from now.

You allow me to draw you close
for the first time
since childhood
when you sought refuge
from your night-soiled bed
in mine.

You who have long forgotten
a mothers caress
herself stolen
by that which will claim you,
just eighteen, 
three long weeks from now.

I hold you for her
In this empty room
momentarily graced
by the half light.
You who will not be held
by anyone but me
and even then for the shortest time
before the pain of love
becomes too much to bear
and you push me from your arms.

But now
For a moment longer
then you would usually allow
we embrace in a sacred world
offered by the dawn
where the dark stain above the horizon
is only the night sky
surrendering to the day

In the still of our embrace
grief is undone
as we are harboured by
the first light
beyond this endurance
beyond death.