Wind hurries across the green,
stirring leaves and blackbirds
to fleck the grey sky.
An aging vicar hunches his shoulders
against the chill, making his way
slowly towards the square where
a brood of old men gather
to play checkers and mind games
that trick even their own memories.
Children's laughter bounces
from the walls of the stone church,
quickly carried away
as if the sun and sand
were just around the corner.

Time is like the wind
it lifts the light
and leaves the heavy.