Walking in shadow

Walking in shadow

At high noon

The wind off the sea

Smelling of sulphur

A birdsong jangle

With every sound the cackle

Of an old crow

The heat of the sun

A weight across shoulders

Bowed,

With each step

An effort

Of diminished return

Every thought an echo

Of a different day

Even when clouds lift

A weft of

Filaments still remain.

In the clear blue

Summer chill bites

As children’s laughter

Cuts strips from

Jaundiced skin

Yellowed eyes mock

In mirrored reflection

With little need

Of hindsight

As nostalgia wanes

Is that when we know

It is time

For us to go.