Midnight Reverie
(with thoughts on John Keats and Frederic Chopin)
dedicated to my esteemed friends Dr David Kram and Professor Peter Tregear

Once so long ago
in the mist
of distant time
all was enchantment
youth never thought
of pain or sorrow-

ah, too soon set in
the ravage of every new morrow
dreams perished within
streams of joy they dried up
sterile and barren
brooded the once bounteous meadow

yet, hope I lost not
though tears that did follow
as I never failed to know
your faithful love
will see me through
the deepest woe-

hush, oh hush, my heart
cease your weeping
hold, oh hold on to your faith
be not drawn apart
by life's brokenness :
pray, rejoice, sing, be awake
let not your life-music
cease its ecstatic flow

12.10 pm. Melbourne time
18th January 2024