Unnecessary Journeys in December

Coming towards you
through fogged and frosted fields
where crows sweep.

Over obstacles
of engineering works, reroutings, delays,
derailments, mountains, cities.

Coming closer
across rivers, through villages,
towards you in hope, undaunted.

To where you are,
leaning against a wall, reading something;
worried, ready to look up and smile

As journey’s end
(despite the creeping cold)
will light your eyes with fire.

December 6th 1996, on the train, Ely. (For Emmet, of course.)