Sunday, October 12, 2014

5996. ALTERMURPHY

ALTERMURPHY
Down three doors from the ale house, past the
Levenger Shop, and  -  thru the courtyard  -  into
the fabric of the past. Another day; cigar smoke,
the urn of the anvil's fire, the collection of the
dairyman's horsehooves. Once long ago they
tried painting the creamery white; old paint,
now yellow'd, still lingers.
-
The cabinet holds the cash box where the money
is kept  -  all those outsiders passing through, dropping
dollars and more for parcels of donuts, bread, milk
chocolates and the rest. Apple-dunking time brings 
even more. In some 19th century way, it seems only
the children of privilege come by wearing their
ghoulish Halloween masks. 
-
If at once they were to put out a few chairs, those
seats would be filled in an instant : the horse corral
would sound its whinnies, the lambs would bleat.
So many chumps  -  meaning people  -  with smiles
on each of their Sunday faces.

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