Salamanca Summer

My brother Paul died tragically in a car accident in New Zealand in 1976, when he was only 17. At the time I was travelling around Europe and returned to shattered parents who had lost their only son. Many years later I came across a red-covered exercise book full of poems and songs that Paul had written when I was away. I was so surprised and excited to read them, yet at the same time my heart cried tears of sorrow for the brother I had never really known. Then several years ago I decided to publish my own long ago written poems and naturally Paul's followed. Within these pages are wonderful poems of love, death, sadness, hope and fantasy written by a young man I am proud to call brother.SALAMANCA SUMMERShe heard the peopleBut she don't know what they said.They look so stupid,Don't they realize what's going through his head?But when they think of it they laugh,Because they should be home in bed.It's a hot Salamanca Summer.It's the time of year whenLove is on the land.So he turns to her, smiles,And then he takes her by the hand.She looks at him and saysI hope you understand,It's a hot Salamanca Summer.The water breaks and thenIt washes far away.It takes the pebbles and it rolls themTo a different part of the Bay.With every movement they grow smaller,So they slowly wear away.It's a hot Salamanca Summer.What is this feeling,It's the sun a-beating down.It's broken through the clouds,And spreading light across the golden ground.I think it's time I better stop,And start to settle down.It's a hot Salamanca Summer.