History

a thin scrim of frost-
muddy waters churn beneath
this fragile veneer
–
storm clouds-
reopening
old wounds

sepia photos
memories of summerfields
slowly turn to dust
–
summer sky-
carousel music
on the pier

stone temple ruins-
echoes of ancient bronze bells
call the monks to prayer
–
summer sunlight-
wending through
the splintered roof

a fleeting moment
captured in a photograph
when we were in love
–
a glass of wine-
this shoebox full
of torn photos

cracks in the pavement
mirrored by the crows feet in
a homeless man’s face
–
ruins-
ivy climbs
crumbling walls

on my mantlepiece
rest all the pieces of you
finally at peace
–
love letters-
ashes of
old flames

continuity-
ancient traditions upheld
for generations
–
lichens on stone-
the huron pine
adds another ring

roaring bonfires burn-
shadows of ancient stones paint
the salisbury plain
–
waning daylight-
a crow stands guard
over those long dead

an aging oak tree-
all our sins laid bare beneath
the outstretched branches
–
a shoe in the grass-
the tire swing
motionless

bitter grievances
at the holiday table
long past time for peace
–
unrelenting
a winter river
choked with ice