1399
Now that I'm free to choose and you're
No longer ham-strung by my stubborn, crass,
And often childish whims, perhaps we can
Begin to make some sense of what we're doing.
It seems some people don't appreciate
Our offer to speak out, so we must find
The smaller groups, lunch clubs, U3As,
Men's Breakfasts, Ladies Literary Teas,
Anywhere they'll listen, and at least
We'll get to talk to somebody who cares.
But is this enough when I can see
There's so much more, out there, to be done?
Inspire me with a hope that what I do
Will make a difference, in the end, for you.
Brian Hick September 2014
©copyright Sally Hick 17.10.25
Possibly a time when Brian had resigned from the Unitarian church and put his efforts into raising money and support for the homeless.
1398
Last night I sat outside on the bay
But tonight's too chilly, so I'll stay
Inside, knowing I will have to wait
At least six months before the winds abate.
He asked me what we saw at Garsington.
I knew exactly what we ate
But
What we saw? Who knows?
Brian Hick September 2014
©copyright Sally Hick 15.10.25
1396
I know, and do not worry how I know,
That love outlasts, out shines outflanks them all.
Regardless of the cataracts that fall
Upon us and the world's demonic glow,
Love survives, love overcomes, love grows,
Love bumbles on, love sticks around, love grafts,
Love undermines all wickedness, love laughs,
Love waits until the rest have failed, love knows;
There's nothing that outlasts love's patient joy -
Knowing that eternity is real -
No power on earth has power enough to steal
The truth that love itself is never coy
Faced with barbarity, insult and shame
Love smiles, and looks all evil in the eye
Knowing that true love can never die
For love is ready to accept the blame.
Brian Hick September 2014
©copyright Sally Hick 10.10.25
1395
Cardiff Bay - 12 Sept 14
I'm glad there is no camera on my phone
Or I'd be sending you an endless steam
Of photos which, though beautiful, will mean
Nothing, when you see them at home,
For tiny pictures on a tiny screen,
Glanced at while you're doing something else,
Cannot hint at all the depth, the wealth,
The detail and the splendour I have seen
Mid-September - and the autumn leaves
Should by now be falling - yet today
I'm basking as we did at Bembridge Quay
Six weeks ago, when we all believed
It would not last; yet it seems there was no haste
For here I am, sitting in the sun
When, in other years the storms have run
Amok, turning once golden leaves to waste.
If only for today let me delight
In unexpected brightness; even as I know
That brazen autumn and the winter snow
Lurk close at hand to snatch away the light.
Brian Hick 12.9.14
©copyright Sally Hick 8.10.25
1393
31 August 2014
Last day of August and the garden rests
Before the autumn dulls the few sweet peas
And pansies that remain to help recall
Day after day of basking in the sun -
Lapped by the waves from early morn till dusk -
Retiring to the terrace for a lunch
Free from the burning heat out on the sands.
Now distant bird calls or a burst of squirrels
Playing tag over the garden gate
Alone break up the silence of the hours
Begore an early sunset brings a close
To gentle days for cats who sit and doze.
Brian Hick 31.8.2014
©copyright Sally Hick 6.8.25
1392
I am Mr Tumble;
The photos do not lie.
The summer sawn-off trousers,
Short socks and red plimsolls,
Straw hat from the garden show,
Shirt, without a tie.
I am Mr Tumble.
If only it were true;
To smile at all times,
Turn the worst events
Into a laugh, for all to share.
No confrontation, violence,
No sense of us and them;
Just a shared experience
Of joy, whatever happens,
Of happiness today.
Even when the odds are stacked
The outcome seeming dire,
Your optimism will outlast
And go the extra mile.
I am Mr Tumble?
The photos do not lie?
If only new umbrellas
And old clothes
Were all it took
To make the sun shine
Every day.
Brian Hick August 2014
©copyright Sally Hick 3.10.25
1391
I love you, and that's all you need to know,
The trouble is you'd rather not believe
It's that easy, that there are no rules,
No footnotes or appendices to grieve
Or block this quiet gift from me to you.
No matter what you think or how you act,
No matter what you did or thought to do -
No matter that your intellect is wracked
By doubts, confusions and endless attacks -
They'll come to nothing when enraptured by
A love far greater than created time,
Enduring even though your body die;
For unconditional is what I said
Know you are loved and do not question why.
Brian Hick August 2014
©copyright Sally Hick 1.10.25
