cemetery lane

in Earby

is an unstable track

 

pressing on one side

a dry stone wall

and the other

a row of poplars

 

the proud

tall ladies

glittering in slightest wind

were rehearsing a Requiem mass

at the open air concert hall

on the hills across silvery haze

 

accompanied by humming of

rustling leaves

with nettle and wild rose towers

clapping in perfect time

and miming along

 

the concert began

the ensemble taking stage

was welcome to a

thunderous applause

the mass was well received

concluded with a

standing ovation

musicians clapped the audience

 

the audience

who didn't

recognize each other

left along the road

where all that travel

are dead