Return, My Love

Return, my love! Let’s flee the gates to leave our scornful town, And roam outside in deepest woods where Nature wears her crown! Beside the river stands unmoved, as many years ago, The ruined castle’s narrow paths which you and I both know. In there, where Time has no abode, long centuries will pass And seasons’ splendors will unfurl their glint by the crevasse. On summer nights, the radiant moon will watch us from above, While nightingales and mockingbirds sing serenades to Love. To the old turret we shall climb and watch the other shore, Forget the world, unload our cares and never crave for more. Our cradle on the mountainside all others will deter Whereas, to us, its walls much peace and shelter will confer. Among those peaks the Sun is king and empress is the Moon, And many times again they’ll rise and never set too soon. Over the mountains and the plains dominion we’ll take From crest to crest, across the vale, and further to the lake. We’ll never know the outer world, its burden and its need, But rather seep from nectar cups which all our longings feed. Behold, the summer wind has swept its hand across the glade And, as its warmth enthralls the heart, our bliss shall never fade. Not long ago I sought the place where we would often meet, And found our mem’ry-laden bench by fairies softly lit. The night was young, the air was warm and carried a fair scent, While all the weeping willows were above the water bent. I heard the crickets play in tune, unhurt by any care, And, all around, the fireflies danced in this auspicious lair. Descending on the marble steps I hurried down to watch The Moon reflected by the stream where fireflies we would catch. The same white boat which, long ago, we used to go across Was still beyond the reach of ferns enveloped by the moss. I stepped inside and probed the depth in silence with an oar And listened to the merry birds as many times before. I paddled out into the flow of ripples wide and thin, And felt the languid breeze of youth slide smooth across my skin. Two geese were watching all their young along the water’s course While, gradually, I came to feel the river’s magic force. The little lights upon the hill called out for me to come; I sought a reason to return, but sadly I found none, For all I wished was that you’d once again return to me, And then together leave to roam the world, forever free. Find my poems and published poetry volumes at www.eton-langford.com