Lanterns Lane

On lanterns lane
The stranger walked
And the heavens belched with rain,
As thunder roared on the gloaming road
And lightning took its aim.

The maple trees
All golden now,
The fields like a marsh
But though it be November,
His mind is fixed on March.

When flowers bloomed
And all the world
Seemed risen from its sleep,
When life was filled with wonder
And she was mine to keep.

Or take me back
To summer time
To fire in the east,
To nights a tint of purple
And the bonny village feast.

‘Neath High Wood
A kestrel flew
The valley sang with light.
And it hurts me to remember
For I wish I’d done you right.

Fair you stood
By the manor lake
Eyes greener than the leaves
But now’s the smell of woodsmoke,
Rain dripping from the eaves.

So come on then!
He smiles and shouts
Arms raised up to the storm.
Give me all your fury!
Harsh winds will keep me warm.