Uploaded November 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
NO LONGER THERE TO LOVE YOU
By P B Taylor
I
I was in the car hitting down the lonely empty road
My friend was there, too, and alas you were with me
I stopped, the message was there, loving your image
My friend then yawned grimly, she just didn’t know
II
We did try of course, but it was a toiling travel
Allowing all the classes to move just closer
But never to more nearer you, nearer me and us
You went like a light, out, with darkness to feel us
III
Then to feel you, as I drove by you were not there
Goodbye, Karen, Goodbye, as the sad evening came
And I quickly wept for you, you so lonely afraid
As I was no longer there to love you anymore, just lost
Oxford Spring 1983
Phillip Taylor MBE was born in Amersham and educated at London University and the Inns of Court School of Law. His working life was spent, firstly at the BBC in London, in the Ministry of Defence and the Army, and then as a barrister at law and mediator at Lincoln’s Inn after he was called to the Bar.
He was Chairman of the Society of Civil Service Authors Poetry Workshop from 1982 to 1986 and contributed to their annual anthology FOCUS. His poems and short stories have appeared in journals, magazines and newsletters and some have been broadcast by the BBC. He has produced several poetry collections since 1972.
The Poetry Workshop was founded by Bill Barnes in 1970. It was a part of the Society of Civil Service Authors (founded in 1935) which now known as the Society of Civil and Public Service Writers.
NO LONGER THERE TO LOVE YOU
By P B Taylor
I
I was in the car hitting down the lonely empty road
My friend was there, too, and alas you were with me
I stopped, the message was there, loving your image
My friend then yawned grimly, she just didn’t know
II
We did try of course, but it was a toiling travel
Allowing all the classes to move just closer
But never to more nearer you, nearer me and us
You went like a light, out, with darkness to feel us
III
Then to feel you, as I drove by you were not there
Goodbye, Karen, Goodbye, as the sad evening came
And I quickly wept for you, you so lonely afraid
As I was no longer there to love you anymore, just lost
Oxford Spring 1983
Phillip Taylor MBE was born in Amersham and educated at London University and the Inns of Court School of Law. His working life was spent, firstly at the BBC in London, in the Ministry of Defence and the Army, and then as a barrister at law and mediator at Lincoln’s Inn after he was called to the Bar.
He was Chairman of the Society of Civil Service Authors Poetry Workshop from 1982 to 1986 and contributed to their annual anthology FOCUS. His poems and short stories have appeared in journals, magazines and newsletters and some have been broadcast by the BBC. He has produced several poetry collections since 1972.
The Poetry Workshop was founded by Bill Barnes in 1970. It was a part of the Society of Civil Service Authors (founded in 1935) which now known as the Society of Civil and Public Service Writers.
