Inspired by a published sonnet

My writers’ group did a session on published sonnets and we were encouraged to write our own. Having recently lost my husband, I was very struck by the Milton sonnet on the topic On her departed husband

with acknowledgement to John Milton

I thought you came to me on the heels of the night

Between the times of sleeping and waking,

At the pearl-grey hour between dark and light;

And in that lacuna you, forsaking

All else, appeared by my side once more.

That look: merry brown eyes, moustache of grey,

Quiet smile: a touch on my arm to say,

‘Look, it’s all so much better than before,

And see the new cross and chain they gave me.’

And I looked: the old design but so much more,

Silver and brown, much finer tracery.

‘You didn’t go after all!’ Struck to the core,

I started towards you, my arms outstretched.

You go, I wake, back to my lacuna fetched.