James M. Rand - Sonnet

For Bette who used to live near Derby

I'd never paid attention when she talked
About the youth, and Derby, that she knew,
But strolling now down streets through which she walked
I see my Grama's past as real and new.
Although the station is no longer here,
Where she left to visit Grandad on the train,
As I do now, returning to be near
To her, my family and my past again;
I hear in Derby's mouth my Grama's tongue
And in its sunny face I see her eyes.
My house was here to see her fly along;
As, cycling to work, she passed it by.
My Derby future and her Derby past
The same play acted by a changing cast.