For Helena
Close the playgrounds, close the schools
Shut the factories, down the tools
Finish your drinks and shut the bars
Stop the trains and park the cars
Stop the laughter, close your lips
Fix the taps and stop the drips
Close the shops, bring down the shutters
Sweep the streets and clear the gutters
Ground the planes and stop the trips
Close the docks and moor the ships
Stop the music, finish the songs
Stop the fighting, right the wrongs
Stop the wars, the fear, the violence
Stop the world and ask for silence
And in the silence we paused to cry
For this is the day we said goodbye
Then in our broken hearts you’ll stay
So we can face another day
You leave us with our souls bereft
You lived, you gave, you loved, you left.
Nick
01/12/2021
