Sounds I Have Loved Poem by cahen thrips

never mind the mew of soaring buzzards
or music of ocean waves nor even
the memory of your pillowed voice
in murmur of good morning

now my favourite sound is the receding bark
of an unknown hound excited
in the back of a car as
she's driven past our garden gate

for she's on her way to joyous escape
a release to be let to run loose
to follow her nose beyond
the sea wall close by Sheppie's sluice

I hope the pleasure of springtime grass
beneath her skittering feet is half as
deep as the anticipation of being unleashed
to run free on the green salt marsh

then I imagine your eyes as you wake
looking at me from your embroidered bower
a smile a yawn a whispered good morning
and suddenly I'm not so sure - if
I could but hear your voice once more



March 2023