Martin Robertson

Now and Then

Happiness

Between two steps, between two thoughts, breaking

like sunlight in the breast, the unnamed wrong

dispelled, happiness spreads like a bright spring

unsummoned, unreasoned, secreted long

from hours in still woods, on the wind-shaved sweep

of downs, walking, sitting, now listening,

looking, hours where the power of quiet is strong,

hours when the earth can cradle thought asleep,

content that those we love have lived, knowing

our narrow length of time eternal deep.