FALTER

He can sense her in every footstep.
Every cracked, grey paving slab,
Every rust-red, crumbling brick,
Every light-filled, laughing window,
Every mocking, welcoming sign.

He will not bend.He will not falter.
He can see her in every stranger.
Every passing, dark hunched shadow,
Every bare-legged, smiling girl.
Every wide-eyed, staring child.
Every joyful, oblivious lover.

He will not bend.He will not falter.

He can feel her in every heartbeat.
Every rapid, strained, urgent breath
Every drum-tight, bursting sinew
Every white-knuckle, clenching fist
Every streaming hot angry tear.

He must not bend.
He must not falter.