The whole day you were with me.
As I passed through the old town center —
swirling like the wild, insistent wind
that warned us to speak truth plain
that other February —
I was caught up and deposited
in a moment that transcended time.

I stopped and turned full-circle
by the old church tower, attuned to
the precursor of Spring's melody
and the mad chirping chaos
of little birds scattering.
Then I gave thanks for my gathering — 

the whole heart-wrenching experience.

Later I would realize 

I stood in the old cemetery,
feeling so alive and less alone, 

for you were with me this day.
In the book shop: Shackleton,

reckless determination mixed full

with courage on ice. You were with me

In the exhibition and
saw ancient symbols rise up like snakes
from torn pages writ with modern script,
indecipherable and
foretelling future kingdom

of shining sun and glory. Outside, 

ice pellets were flung from greying skies.

Operatic arias,

(Puccini, I believe) woke you up

and though at first I bolted, fleeing

time’s distant memory, still

I stood in the next store filled
with a wrap and time's taste remembered 

and music: best of the 80s.

Sound and sight, you were with me.

I heard your voice as on that first day
and saw you across a field again,
recalling the sensation
of knowing you then as I 

have never known anyone before.

Since then I have known nothing at all.

The hard-drinking man waiting

outside the pub at noon stared with eyes
that searched for some faint light of a truth 

that has vanished like the years.
Little child looked up, lamb-like,
as if to mirror my reaching through

thick glass and time’s wicked distortions.

I saw my own reflection
in the window, shot out and fractured.

Arrested by truth that shackled me,

I freed myself, taking flight
like a dragonfly rising 

through full heart’s portal to dimensions 

where all things remain yet possible.

The roads iced on the way home.

My car skidded, but I corrected

quickly, then caught a glimpse of Irish

rainbow stretched from far, flat bogs 

and lake lands on left into
mountains that rise like guardians wise 

watching over this island I am.

Yes, you were with me this day: 

the whole of it and not just the part

you played then, some once upon a time.

No, you were now and you were 

here in every fine fractal.

Perhaps beyond what was and will be 

is a gift as we wait in presence.