POEM

WRIT

A Graffito

Writ

A Graffito

Parable may find its mark

   Syllabled in grains of sand;

   Quickened through that hourglass, sound,

Such germ may work;

But the doting couples cut

   Fond mementoes in the rind

   —Lovehearts frame initials twinned—

Of trees where met,

Once, who panted ‘This will last

   Ever, ever’; strong, the trunk

   Ripens names as amours shrink

Till lips are dust:

Diamantine flints and gems

   Scintillatingly have etched

   Window-words; and through the scratched

Pane the light gleams.