a straggle of a line
arms folded back
reverential contortions
hunched crow-black
from the sweep of the rain
a grasp
"Sorry for your trouble"
poor comfort that
the clink of glasses
striking a tinder heart

the crazed cuckoo croak
of the clock
ticking off
the first hour
of a life without her
those others whose blood was spilt
the rain battered box
gift wrapped
wreaths and flowers blooming
on a life of guilt