As It Was

The clearing where
you stand on tiptoes
you never stood

The trees you
flick between mark a trail
we never followed

The wind tugs at
that purple dress
you never wore

The smile you run back to me
to give
you never smiled

That secret
you’re still whispering
was never yours, never shared

So far we walked
and praised together and yet
we never did

 

 

David O’Hanlon is based in Northumberland and has recently had poems in Material, and forthcoming in Dream Catcher.