The Old Bell Tower

From sharp edges of Atlantic weather,

bungalows, ring roads, Saxon churches,

Europe proceeds to shallow roofs,

slate yards, balconies, onion domes:

pragmatic architectural variations

might easily be mistaken

for proof of differences set in stone.

History emerges from perspective;

sky darkens from the past.

The silence of bells is the same

no matter what the language,

and yet with a little learning
I might just hear
footsteps, stirrups, sword-blades –

whatever it is that’s gathering in those clouds.

Image: Marina Shiderova; text: Tom Phillips