How It Was

If, as a kid you had a blanket
with an edge of satin that you rubbed
against your cheek - or if you sank
in a bath – hot as you could stand
until the pleasure took in all your
skin – or if you sat, eyes closed
to meditate – let peace pour
warmed honey or syrup dripping
over every inch or if
you let butter melt on your tongue
slip down your throat, coating
you – or if you sat solitary on
a mountainside in sun
back to the warmed stone
or if you just came home
you'll know how it was
for me to lie with you.
And if you heard your favourite
instrument go out of key
or noted that the world wasn't
as you thought suddenly or ice cracked
as you crossed the frozen pond or
you found you were last at
the school gates in darkening dusk
with nobody coming along the lane
or if you were ever outside
looking in on a perfect scene
you'll know how it was
when I heard you say, so sadly
that you could not surrender.
And if you've ever done the loving
thing, which you know is right
you'll know how it was when
I carried on and if you've ever
felt like you'd so much power
you could stop the world or
make it rain or feed everyone -
you'll know how it was
when I made you give in.
And if you've ever missed a train
seen it pull out from the platform
where you're standing with a ticket
not valid on any other route
or if you've been a man on a pavement
looking at a cab as it drives away
watching til it's out of sight then
turning, walking up the hill-
you'll know how it is.