Shisan Renku: Though The Skylight

girl with a bouquet
roses and lilies
in her wake pink scent

on the florist door
its sign turned to closed

taking a new route
an old house
with a strange carving

* * * *

through the skylight we watch
our swallows depart

middle of the night
someone puts a box
round the moon

she buys a gold chain
for his engagement ring

* * * *

grass thick with frost
on their favourite patch
bench in her memory

a new name is entered
in the family bible

charity shop display,
Easter bonnets
last year's wedding hats

* * * *

cheap tea at the door
to draw the shopper in

she cleans the cottage
for the year's first visitors—
dust in the sunlight

we wave goodbye
to our new-found friends

composed via email .... 23 May 2006 to 15 June 2006

Diana Webb
Frank Williams