Now

Eric de Vree

Now

The longed-for summer goes;

Dwindles away

To its last rose,

Its narrowest day.

No heaven-sweet air but must die;

Softlier float,

Breathe lingeringly

Its final note.

Oh, what dull truths to tell!

Now is the all-sufficing all

Wherein to love the lovely well,

Whate'er befall.

Walter de la Mare

For my son, who taught me this truth - Now is the time to love. To love in the imperfect now is an honour, for love is an immortal and all-surpassing art. Poems, paintings, songs, all these fade away - love cannot die.