"The first moment"

In the instant of first awareness

Just as the alarm-bells of the senses have roused

and mobilised the brain to start

all systems needed for life,

making this allotted time my day

and not just another arbitrary date in someone’s calendar.

Then, before the eyelids have taken in

the blossoming morning

my skin already knows

that the sun is shining

rolling over the horizon of jagged woods

like someone rolling out of a water-bed.

Then, before the ears have heard any other human sound

than my own breathing

The heart already knew about the singing thrush

And that the blackbird was preening himself on the eaves.

Singing as if their first day out of school.

But now the fragile dawn has already

Been layered over with the noise of machines

And more bad news

as if the world today was coming to an end.

But in my mind remains

That first moment

Like the touch of a loved hand lingering in mine

Saying ‘hello, and welcome home.’