The Visit

 THE VISIT

              It told us nothing

              we didn't already know

              not that we had

              admitted everything -

              our worst fears

              at best confirmed -

              Despite all

              the proffered help

              for persistence,

              parental perspicacity,

              percipient patience,

              pertinacious power,

              positive pleasure,

              predicative precision,

              purposeful progress

              and prudence

              there are no substitutes

              In the end

              we are alone

              yet before the end

              there are thoughts

              to share

              burdens to burn

              in the fire

              of loving friendship

              We are all in it together

              pacing our parallel paths.

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Ashton under Lyne, 9th September 1981

Publication

1994 International Poetry (USA)