After The Rain.

After the rain 

dampness stays. 

Raindrops drip afterwards 

for some time 

slowly falling 

from branches 

of trees. 

The country lane 

is empty of you now. 

Birds fly above 

from hedgerow to hedgerow 

or across the sky. 

The sky is a dim grey, 

few clouds are seen. 

No matter how long I gaze, 

you will not appear 

as once you had 

those many years before. 

The lane leading up 

to the Downs 

seems the same as then, 

although it seems 

smaller now. 

I watch the horizon, 

but you do not come. 

The past has gone, 

it cannot be undone.