midnight hike to Bamburgh

midnight hike to Bamburgh 

a dream of Saffie woke me,

called me from my bed, 

and, as if, hypnotised

I quickly dressed

and headed north 

clambering high dunes

and soft-sand paths

toward Bamburgh beach

(a favourite haunt)

razor-sharp marram grass

sliced my feet, toes to ankles,

(the curse of buying cut-price sandals)

a trail of red drips dogged my steps

into stinging water to cleanse my legs

I gazed at the sky

enthralled by clouds

where blue-shadow faces

of remembered friends

seemed to flicker

and quickly fade

above the swirling incense mists

Saffie’s face beamed welcoming

I had to get closer so went in deeper

and above the wave splash

heard her sighing plea,

‘come away and walk with me’

this was too much lunacy,

I shook my head at the spectre,

pulled myself together

and waded back to land,

safe ashore I peered over the water,

and stared long ages at the clouds -

Saffie was nowhere to be seen

but echoing in curlew cries,

‘when will we meet up again?’