Always a welcome behind this door.
I knew where to find tea bags and kettle
There would be hot food, wine, banter,
fierce debate and fresh sheets on a warm
bed for me to lie in. Ties of blood, spirit
and love brought me here to festivals,
protests, celebrations, family gatherings
and my dear friend's funeral.
Here I said a final farewell to you before you
followed her into the unknown. We were loud
in the pub after the solemnity of your Requiem
'Let's not have a snivel, let's have a bloody good cry
we sang and we did cry and some of us got drunk,
which was normal.
The era has ended and now the door is closed to me
though a golden light still shines in the window.
My heart aches, heavy with memories of days
spent in your lovely Edinburgh home.
Norah Hanson
End of an era is due to be published by Valley Press later this year.
