All the Salt
Jess Arrowsmith
When we are gone from this place, a dim remembered face
Can bind us all together, our mothers and our sons
And every link in that chain, forged with love, blood and pain
Can remind us all forever of where once we had begun
All the salt in the sea cannot preserve me
All the heat in the fire cannot bring my heart’s desire
All the birds in the sky cannot teach me to fly
But the love in my soul can keep me whole
Now if we have purpose here, give up duty and fear
Cherish family, cherish friends, our fathers and our daughters
To each moment hold fast, as if each were your last
And hope each day will end with embraces, smiles and laughter.
When reasoned thought can’t explain untold suffering and pain
Take solace in good company, our partners and our neighbours
If we strive, do our best to fill their hearts with happiness
Then our own soon full can be, and so reward our labours