The Ruined Cottage Poem by Bryan Sefton

Creatures walk in its shade
Others hide in the gloom
Away from the Sun's rays
all safe from what was
(Distance dimming memory)
There are no secrets
Sometimes at night
When the wind catches the gable right
A child whimpers in her sleep
An illusion
The child has flown
On new shores
New roots
New life down

No roots here now
They lie body separate
A cloud upon a pain
Paints a ghostly face
A chill in certain parts
A freezing presence
Exercised by the sun
Creeping forward
Settling on the hearth
Going to sleep
Shadows settle
Creatures crawl
Faint rustling
Vague phantoms
From the wall
Recorded memories
Yesterday's traces
Whisper from the past
A man coughs
A child laughs
A wife sighs
A mother soothes
A dog's bark
Footsteps run to welcome

Sung:

Ring a ring of roses

Happy birthday to- -

Here comes the bride
All dressed in- -


Ashes-to- ashes.