John Scully (19th October 1947 / London)

I was not part of nature
but a drowning man
flattened, pounded, darkened
in the business of the ordinary.

And yet, mercy of something unknown
sowed seeds to hold back the suicidal
and packed my bags with hope.

My eyes now open
no fear of the stranded
and causes of calamities,
a boat came gliding by
from a clump of reeds,
unbleached against the sun, calling
'It's been so long since....'
and was gone.

And well I reflected
in shining ripples left by that craft
and felt a roaring in the trees.