Ways

And now I think of my friend Stevie
on an early train from York to London. 
Learning the words to ‘True Love Ways’
for his open audition for ‘Buddy. The Musical’.
Nan’s magnified glasses in his top pocket,
an overnight bag just in case they want
him to start tomorrow night. He’ll be ready.

And I now think of Julie Wilson in Somerset, long gone.
Her key under the mat every night, thinking that he just
might call. A bottle of Metaxa brandy under his arm, the tall
tales of indiscretions in high office – knowing his harm
is out of bounds now, will be forever more.
Everyone on this dreadful yet eternally beautiful 
planet deserves their own true love ways. 

And finally, I now think of myself writing these words in Bradford.
Sitting here, listening to the music for the first time in months.
A glass of time, a scented candle. A prayer in her name –
etched in the palm of my hand again and again.
Her smile, her wisdom, her care for the tiniest kindness
that can change the world in a second – never mind a year.
Love weighs true if you search long enough.