Birthday (Treorchy 1950)

A gentle haze settled over the valley.

The crowded bracken flowed in a warm summer breeze on the mountain slopes.

The chattering streams were silenced.

The trees bent and whispered secrets - shhhhhhhhhhh...

And the fritillary on heated stone fanned slowly counting time.

'Sian ....... Sian'

Working hands, pitted and scarred brushed back a tear......

'Sian'

The track clawed at the hillside, fighting for a hold,

And at the gate he paused - panting through dust-filled lungs, 

'Sian ....... my Sian'

A buzzard circled high searching for prey,

And the matching goldfinches paused, plucking thistles,

He knelt slowly by the small, ivy-covered grave.

And a hushed whisper - so quiet,

'I've remembered your birthday... Sian'.

note: Sian - pronounced 'Sharn' may be translated as Jane

(1970)

Treorchy, South Wales, UK