I CANNOT WALK ALONE

For my Leicester Friend

I cannot walk alone
many ghosts have harbored me
pushed the storm
far from me
too many left me safe at sea
and swept it like mere detritus
kept it clean
kept it fighting
in my corner not the norm
danced like boxers
still unformed
find your path

my Leicester friend
I cannot walk without that horn
there’s a dancing crowd to join
at the other unknown end
some write books,
make amends
some more brilliant no less than
the music that transcends
mothers, true, of truer friends
forever big band
I hold his hand
because of you
because I can
not walk alone
it’s true
would I change my course
would you?