the horse's hooves
strike surely down
with solemn tread
along the path
taken many times
before.
This winter
the ritual procession
etched in black
against each later dawn
has worn a frozen
path. Snow clumps,
thick masses press
against new stone;
hides names and dates,
leaving marker-tops
silent nameless sentinels
as guides to the place
of the dead.
(where all are alike,
at the last-save one.)
turn the earth
dug out with great labor
dark rectangle awaiting
the coffin. Pallbearers
black figures stark forms
against bright snow.
Mourners follow,
breath trailing pale plumes
frost and rise
in the still air.
The stone, carved words.
In place. Coffin lowered.
Drone of words, foreign tongue.
Black clad man. Hand moving.
...in nomini patri
et filii,
et spiritu sancti...
Clink of beads, silver cross.
Earth falls down, soft as rain,
slowing rising up
to the level of the land,
casting shudders
like waves lapping
beneath the cliff
over stone.
The Countess turns her gaze
beyond new stones,
iron grating obscuring trees,
past the land beyond,
secure and firm,
leading, deceiving,
to the end.
Air beyond.
Space below.
Stone the cradle.
Death the sleep.
(by her own hand.
We loved you.
by your hand
would have done anything
for you. With our love.
by your hand)
She turns away, and finds
her niece's father
eyes fixed on
the unseen cliff.
Tears pooling in her eyes,
regretting
she now lives
while another is gone.
she watches blindly
last clods of earth
falling
and remembers
distances travelled
and created
between lovers, loved ones,
family and friends.
sees
Josette's final smile,
Calm eyes.
Clouds passed before
the silent moon
before glass shattered,
Door closed.
Her disappearance
into darkness.
Body washed white
by the tide
face turned from
the morning sun
torn away
by stone.
turn the earth
1ight fading
turn the earth
Newest stone catches
last sunlight
shadowplay upon
carved words.
Names and dates.
Recording the passage
of one who came
half a world
to know death.
Procession leaving.
Gate closing.
Latch catching.
turn the earth
come sundown
another mourner
rising
turn the earth
toward night