by Peter Williams

Created on: February 25, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

Songhua Night

There are times my beloved, when love is enough
To quiet the fears that rise from warring lives,
To salve the brow against the world's harsh strife
And deliver to us, for a moment's respite
To the quiet joy, that only lovers and poets know

In my soul a night stands framed
When we met along the icy Songhua's banks
And the world watched while these two lovers touched

And pledged their hearts to each others care.

Do you remember my love?
The last ice-laden leaves, fluttering nervously in the trees above,
Echoing the nervous beating of this man's heart?
And the ragged breath of an old man's last hope

I recall my love, the joyous sound
as then in joy we ran, along Harbin's icy streets
Paths slippery with ice so black, coloured as the darkest night.
I saw my face reflected in the ice. Red as youth,
Lined with the pale intimations of lifetime's early end

And did we not dine, and sing, and breathe sweet words
Hand in hand, arm in arm, lips on lips
Did we not dare the world to see
And risk whatever calamity
Jealous throngs could throw our way?

On the ice-covered banks of the Songhua river
Where it flows through harbin's heart
We made love amongst the snow
I saw reflected in your eyes
The youth that once I was, immortal in thought as any youth
My beloved, there are times when love is all.

Peter Williams
25/2/2007

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