.A few months ago, while surfing the net, I discovered the contact details of a woman who had shared several years of life with me back in the 'seventies.

When I contacted her I was delighted that she was willing to have a "catch-up session" with me when that could be arranged. My home city of Albany, Western Australia, is nearly five hundred kilometers from Fremantle, where she now resides. It has been difficult, therefore, to get together, but I intend to make it happen soon.

Her name is Branka and our relationship had been (in my opinion) heart-warming, challenging and, above all, interesting. When, after a few years ,we decided to terminate the live-in nature of the relauinship to go our separate ways, it was achieved without rancour or feelings of hostility.

Over the years I have often reflected on the diverse aspects of that relarionship and, although I am now happily married with a young son, my reflections always focus on the many delightful aspects of our time together. My memories are usually vivid, positive, gentle and self-enlightening. One memory has always stood out: The date of the anniversary of her birthday, 29th October.

This year I was able to acknowledge her birthday  (in previous years we had been out of contact). I did so in the form of a poem.

When she received it,  she phoned me to express thanks and to remark on what she described as "the energy and thought behind the poem".

I would now like to share that story and this poem with you. Should you decide to comment on the poem, perhaps you might also like to conclude by sending birthday greetings to Branka (which I will pass on by fax to her). (October 29)

Birthday poem for Branka

By Patrick Talty

Though fresh green leaves of Springtime

In Autumn fall to earth,

True friendships last much longer

And the years sustain their worth.

You and I spent one brief moment

(Though it seemed much longer then!)

And the magic of its memory

Defies the poet’s pen!

Yet, though in time ‘twas fleeting,

From memories one stands clear:

Your birthdate’s anniversary

Rings in my mind each year.

Among my cherished birthdates

This one will always shine:

The date of Branka’s birthday,

October twenty-nine!

©Patrick Talty 2005