When Just The Tide Went Out

 

WHEN JUST THE TIDE WENT OUT

Last night as I lay sleeping, when dreams came fast to me

I dreamt I saw JERUSALEM beside a tideless sea

And one dream I’ll remember as the stars began to fall

Was Banksy painting Alun Wyn on my neighbour’s garage wall

And dreams like that sustain me ‘til these darkest times have passed

And chase away the shadows no caring night should cast

But times like this can shine a light as hardship often can

To see the best in people and the good there is in man

And I remember Swansea with nobody about

The shops were closed like Sunday and just the tide went out

And I remember Mumbles with the harbour in its keep

And the fishing boats at anchor that trawl the waters deep

And I heard the seabirds calling as the gulls all wheeled about

But all the town was sleeping now and just the tide went out

And when these days are over and memories remain

When children painted Rainbows and the sun shone through the rain

And the doctors and the nurses who stretchered all the pain

And I hope the carers never see a time like this again

And I prayed last week for Boris, who knocked on Heaven’s door

And I thought of voting Tory, which I’ve never done before

And though the sun is shining I’ve no immediate plans

So I’ll write a book on ‘Staying In’ and ‘Ways To Wash Your Hands’

And now more days of lockdown, three weeks of staying in

I’m running out of vodka and I’ve started on the gin

And my neighbours are complaining, I’ve heard them scream and shout

With the sound the bins are making, when I take the empties out

And when all this is over, and our fragile world survives

And I hope that God is caring now for the ones who gave their lives

And I pray we’ll find an answer, for my faith is cast in doubt

And God draws back the heavens and all the stars come out

And I’ll remember mornings with nobody about

When the shops were closed like Sunday, and just the tide went out

 

Max Boyce MBE