1500

Momento mori

We smile back from the pile of photographs,

Ourselves, though younger,

Plus many who no longer change,

As we, still living, do,

While forgetfulness and dates that do not stick

Inch us ever closer towards a final snap

Whose deadening flash will seal

Our endless headlong dash to stay alive.

Sun bleached, the photos stare;

Accusing us because we are alive

And have forgot their names

But for the ones whose love still hurts

Hanging s thread of guilt

On desiccated branches

In the silt of memory.

Brian Hick October 2015

©copyright Sally Hick 14.10.26

 1499

As I went to Sweeny Todd

          I passed a sign

            Which read

      Best pies in Bristol.

Brian Hick October 2015

©copyright Sally Hick 10.10.26

 1498

Tonight the death of

That Pizza Express Moment;

Jet black serviettes.

Brian Hick November 2015

©copyright Sally Hick 7.10.26

The Pizza Express Moment, was waiting for food to arrive, when Brian would write on the serviette.

 1497

Sometimes I think I should have been a hermit

Living in a cave close to the sea

Listening to the silence of the seashore

The lull of waves rumbling eternally

With endless time to catch the truths around me

The subtle truths which somehow slip away

Between the endless chatter, idle banter

That comes with being sociable each day.

But solitude can gravitate to madness

Ideas become irrational and wild

Sudden insight vanish into vagueness

And insight to the musings of a child.

Maybe I should stay just as I am

Hoping I'll become a wiser man.

Brian Hick October 2015

©copyright Sally Hick 6.10.26 

1496

We climbed the hill

Turning to catch the glory

Of St Michael's Mount

Misted in the Bay.

Nothing for Wordsworth

Could have brought

More joy.

Brian Hick September 2015

©copyright Sally Hick 30.9.26 

 1495

The Norman nave transmutes to noise

The bright baroque of Bach's pure lines,

With hazy vagueness in the vaults.

Where crystal clarity should shine

Trumpet trill with counterpoint

From sweet sopranos, sombre bass

These mangled melodies all melt

Into the basilisk's embrace.

Brian Hick September 2015

©copyright Sally Hick 28.9.26

 1494

On the horizon

Twilight's knife has slashed itself

A blood red sunset.

Brian Hick September 2015

©copyright Sally Hick 26.9.26