A cry for help from across the years,
 Awakening on that summer morn.
A sober message filled with tears,
 In despair and urgency born.

Invading my subconscious mind,
 In sleep she came to me.
With bated heart I did unwind,
 The meaning of her ardent plea.

Then the name that came at last,
 That served to increase the pain.
Like a petal from a blossom past,
 It fell with the morning rain.

Then recalled were feelings of old,
 And a promise so freely given.
A love that could never go cold,
 And a hurt so long forgiven.

But time can move hearts far apart,
 And the oceans between are deep.
There is nought but grief in my heart,
 For the promise I could not keep.

                        Bob Ollier