The lake, as waterfowl take flight, falls into silence.
Limitless stars appear; the night falls into silence.
Sports fields and schoolyards ring with songs of children’s laughter;
Summer lawn with no such delight falls into silence.
The burgeoning kowhai tree in spring weeps golden tears;
Winter shade shedding lustre bright falls into silence.
Parents watch each child leave to face uncertain futures;
The pathway, steps that fall from sight, falls into silence.
Lovers for the first time disagree on little things;
Each, baffled how to solve such plight, falls into silence.
Trains approach with clatter and clashing of steel on steel;
Tumult passes; the scene of might falls into silence.
And Bruce, his time perhaps nearing certain certain-end,
Defying fading of the light, falls into silence.
To hear the poem read aloud click HERE.