The Ruined Cottage.

Creatures in the shade
Others in the shadows
Away from the sun's rage
All safe from what was
Places revealed
There are no secrets
Sometimes at night
When the wind catches the gable right
A child whimpers in her sleep
An illusion
The child has flown
On new shores
New roots
New life sown

Old roots now
Lie body separate
A cloud upon a pane
Makes a ghostly face
A chill in certain parts
A freezing presence
Exorcised as the sun
Forward creeps
Settling on the hearth
Going to sleep
Shadows settle
Creatures crawl
Faint rustling
From the wall

Recorded memories
Yesterday's traces
Whisper from the past
A man coughs
A child laughs
A wife sighs
A mother soothes
A dog's bark
Footsteps run to welcome

(Sung)

"Hush little baby don't you cry ----"

"Happy birthday to -----"

"Here comes the bride! All dressed in ----"


Ashes to ashes.

Author's Note

(Sung) signifies Birth. Growth. Procreation. Death.

Reviews

[W. Barrett Munn]

I really enjoyed this one and appreciated the modest use of rhyming end words. Well done.
W.