Heroes

It seems now there were
always stars
for you to name
and me
to walk under


forgetting the names
but liking the closeness
my arm through yours
proud
you knew so much


and, to follow the stars,
Indian dreams
swept just out of reach   ....


we met in the night sky
somewhere between Ursa Major
and Pleiades  ....
between the vivid colours
of wartime India
and permissive 1970's
Britain


me in velvet hot pants
and high boots
you with your
umbrella
as Hercules, Orion
and Pegasus
rained down
through the soft
steady night


we balanced each other
my head full of warm lamplit
kisses
you knowing I was safe
and soon to be home   ....
saved, yet again, from
hormonal youths
and deep mossy ditches


and now I see that
whilst these great heroes
were striding
across space  ....


mine was at my side


and I always wished



the walk





was








longer.