Petals falling from flowers plump and bursting with colourful splendor,  as the steps of my life lay open and prostrate for these cold staring eyes,  this empty soul.    How,  in those youthful days of carefree abandon,  I struggled to raise tiny limbs high enough for navigational purpose,  tripping clumsily, knees grazed and tearful eyes full of moist liquid which pooled on the stoney ground beneath me,  like crystal pools in which imaginary creatures would bathe.

My time here was chock full with the joyful glee of childhood persuits,  chasing dragon flies with fishing nets,  clapping hands loudly to chase away the resting birds,  perched high in golden trees heavy with foliage and luscious berries of rich ruby red.  And I danced with my sister,  just we two,  in the midday shade of the ancient oaks as our innocence and family wealth protected us from all that was harmful,  waiting in the wings for our adolescence to end.

Mother wept when I told her my news,  excited lips quivering with anticipation for the proud remarks she never uttered,  not then at least.    Her baby boy,  not yet nineteen, commission assured,   off to destinations far flung and dangerous,  to fight the enemy and defend our land.  Her eyes never before had seemed so sad to me,  but on that day I packed and left for the front lines of trench warfare hell.

Saying farewell to these steps,  my treasured hideaway and family home,  broke my heart so.  But needs must when the devil threatens those you love,  their freedom,  sovereignty and tradition. The will of the mighty defeated by the tenacity and stubbornness of the few. Boys in men's uniform's,  the joy's of childhood replaced with fear and apprehension rife.   Into the bleakness of unknown territories, climbing the rickety wooden ladders with pride in our tender hearts and doom laden uncertain future's.

We were the warriors brave and strong,  we were the men and boys who climbed mountains of hope for a brighter future.  We were invincible within our lion hearts.

When I returned to these steps,  that bright,  crisp morning,  my heart rejoiced.  My beloved home,  these cherished steps at last I walked.   My mother cried once more,  as she laid a single red rose on my casket,  lowered to the ground amidst words of beauty and faces racked with sadness and guilt.  I wished to hold my mother and tell her not to cry,  fo all was well and once more I roamed as freely as those childhood days,   in this place I loved so,   but my presence here was fleeting and of other dimensions.

A fond farewell then my beloved family,  in a life so short,  I lived and loved,  and laughed.  Remember me well my little sister,  my father stout and proud, my mother gentle, soft and kind.  I travel onwards in this secondary journey,  as I walk these steps of my life one final time

HEVER CASTLE

TONBRIDGE

JUNE 7 2008