M.A. Bottomley
In the Aftermath of Civil War
The fragile afternoon reminds the migrants of their families.
The older men drink wine from mugs and deal out tired anecdotes
As faded and crumbling at the edges as the newspaper clippings on the wall.
There are no women here and there is little in the way of laughter.
When that one was younger
He travelled to Almeria and danced to accordions.
He had many friends but all have now abandoned him.
This one was a worker in alabaster and gombroon.
Before the sickness. Such illness you cannot imagine.
There was music here too, many years ago.
Violins leaped at the scattering of coins.
Children gathered in the hallway
To watch, wide eyed and breathless,
The gypsy girl and her handsome brothers.
After their labours, which were always hard,
This inn was witness to such joy and merriment
Not easily conveyed to those born in more silent times.
The stories were truly alive then.
Narratives that swirled and trembled
Like the hopes of young lovers.
Even the humblest could hold you spellbound
With a turn of phrase or half-raised brow.
But the saints deserted us, or we them, or something.
Now it seems as if we dreamed it all.
Do not stay here, there is too much here that has died.
It will leave you melancholy and afraid.
The stable lad will lead you back.
The main road will be more to your liking.
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