And now a year has passed me by without
Her hands and heart to hold me still in joy.
To be alone, a learn’ed act devout.
Twelve months besieged by sorrowed thoughts employed,
Replaying moments, my mind moves to keep
My Helen’ed beauty in this world’s Troy.
Surrounded as I am in haunted sleep,
My unrelinquished love lures out my fears;
But their besetting causes me to weep.
Remembrance now divides my heart to tears
And traps me in the city of my grief
To needlessly lament away the years.
Releasing her may bring me fresh relief
And lead me to be held by my belief.
Written on Saturday 6th July 2019 on the anniversary of my wife’s death.