Mallorn

By Gavin Meggs

FROM THE PIERCING OF THE NUT AS ITS SEEDLING FIRST REACHES OUT TO FEEL, TO THE ACHING BOUGHS OF THE MATURE MALLORN. WE SEE LIFE IN ALL ITS FORMS. AND LIFE SEES US.
Affected by the breeze and passing strangers in our youth, turning our face to the sun in our teens. We find our poise as we reach adulthood and lay down the roots that establish our being. It is here that we gather our wealths. Knowledge assimilated from passers-by, health from the sustenance of soil and rain, wealth from our offspring as we delight in their well-being. Honour from existing.
It is in ageing that we grow, not the other way round; by ageing together that we grow together; by learning the beauties that we each possess that we transition from tolerance through gratitude to love.
The kind of love that is deep rooted, that blossoms into beautiful golden foliage each spring. The kind of love that not only defines each moment, it defines our lives – as we turn over leaf, after leaf, after leaf and find each other.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Mar 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781398406971

Gavin Meggs

Gavin Meggs was born in London, England. He studied artificial intelligence at Sussex University before moving into corporate life, where he has worked in a number of research, consultancy and leadership roles. Gavin has always been inspired by life in all its forms. In his writing, he seeks to share perspectives in a way that he hopes will live on in the hearts and minds of those that read his work. Gavin currently lives in London, where he is married and is father to five sons and one daughter. Buttercup Belief is his debut collection.

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About the Author

Gavin Meggs was born in London, England. He studied artificial intelligence at Sussex University before moving into corporate life, where he has worked in a number of research, consultancy and leadership roles. Gavin has always been inspired by life in all its forms. In his writing, he seeks to share perspectives in a way that he hopes will live on in the hearts and minds of those that read his work.

Gavin currently lives in London, where he is married and is a father to five sons and one daughter. Mallorn is his third collection.

Dedication

To my wife, Vasanthi.

Thank you for the world we now share.

Gavin Meggs

Mallorn

Copyright © Gavin Meggs (2021)

The right of Gavin Meggs to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398404816 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398406964 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781398406971 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2021)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd

25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Foreword

They say that each life is a journey, each soul a whisper in the ether of eternity, but sometimes things are much simpler than that.

Clarence Park in St Albans, Hertfordshire, the inspiration for the cover of this book, is a special place. It is the home of the only Mallorn tree known to exist outside of J R R Tolkein’s tales. Each springtime it blossoms to life bringing fresh green leaves in abundance and providing a shelter from even the heaviest of rainfalls. Each autumn it sheds the same leaves in a cycle of renewal which makes me envious of what can be achieved with so little effort. Occasionally, I collect some of those leaves and write messages to the one I love on them; less frequently she believes my words enough to put faith in them.

During the writing of this book, though it was not known to me at the time, there was very little faith. The realities in which we existed differed in as many dimensions as the worlds of Mansfield and Mordor. The only link was in my craziness and the hope that by holding onto the reality I believed in I could make it happen. The two worlds could become one, brought together because that is where they belong. Where we belong.

The Mallorn tree in Clarence Park provides this link for me between the two worlds. It gives me a place to be when I am the only one left believing.

Bis

Life is not measured by

The number of breaths we take

But by the moments that take

Our breath away

Thank you for my moments

There’s No Way Out, I’m All Drawn Out

Perilous. Endangered, seldom precious

Always wishful, rarely hungry

Empty without the sunrise

As lonely as the moon

Taken with your beauty so

Enamoured by your light

Fulfilled by the thought of you

And of what awaits me tonight

Starstruck by your image

Dumbstruck by your touch

Visibly weak in your presence

Equalled for once in banter, needful of more

Hopeful it can be lasting

Certain it can be pure

An intensity yet to be rivalled

A voracity I long to explore

So come little lady, come to me

Give me and take from me, what