Voices

They emerged and sang
“ Requiem Aeternam,”
with the ache of a cauterised wound;

point and counterpoint rebounded
off fractured walls
as they probed into what remained unvoiced,
the mysterious gaps between the notes,
tasting their vinegar and honey.

I saw them leave homewards
to hunt for food and water
repair newly-opened scars
 salvage hope from the wreckage of jagged days,

until they could recall their passion, their inner voice,
find a yard of sun,
gather again along the line of song

“luft”                       lift                     lifting.
Voices         Voices              Voices
blending, moving through shattered windows.
And people came, curious,
drawn to the urgent sounds,
“Pacem, pacem, dona nobis pacem”
A siren groaned, a child looked skywards.

Voices, louder,
caressing every note,
in unison, unyielding.

Frank McMahon

The Light will Always Return In his third book of poems, Gloucestershire Poet, Frank McMahon, takes as his main theme the words of the great Chinese poet, Du Fu: “Joy and sadness takes turns in a dance beyond our control” and tries to strike optimistic notes whilst addressing directly the issues and challenges of our current lives. He enriches the theme with “moments which just stopped me in my tracks” and fed his poems with wonder and joy. There are also poems in praise of artists and craftspeople whose work, vision and skill give wings to our existence. The book is published by Tim Saunders Publications ( www.tsaunderspubs@weebly.com ) and is available at Waterstones, other good bookshops and on Amazon.

If you have any thoughts about this poem or this publication,  Frank McMahon  would be pleased to hear them