Oh where are
the kittens?
Or puppies.
Puppies would do.
Oh where are
the kittens?
Or puppies.
Puppies would do.
A warmth upon my cheek
A light behind my eyelid
As I walk within my sleep
And wake beyond my twilight
“It’s not purple;
it’s Scout Purple,”
Really,
is it richer?
Deeper?
Does it have more
meaning?
Does it dutifully
denote our service?
Does it practically
parade
our promise,
our adherence;
a simple signifier
of our Scout values
collated and codified
into one
uniform
expression of colour?
the Scout Shop
assistant
continued,
“it is dis-
continued.”
it’s like banging your head against the wall
that would not fall
but you did
as you slid
trying to flee
all that would never be
all that would stop you from standing tall
it’s like banging your head against the wall
an invite
a tentative knock at the door
tea and toast and tears
and all those things shared through the years
if I could I would love you more
less flexible now and yet
still we remain
intertwined
After the squall
another step up the stony staircase
another step closer.
A striding beacon
towering in the middle distance
signalling that to come.
Each step fragile
memories pass father to son
a failing light burning bright.