Glint

The old woman stooped slightly and squeaked,

as she caught her glimpse of a glint in the eye of the passer-by.

The man shuffled knowingly, avoiding her eye,

as he straightened his pack,

and sidled on by.

At the sound of the squeak, a shoe repairer did peek,

from the shadow of his door,

pin in hand, apron sodden crimson and black.

Glancing sideways he saw, from ever darker a door,

the shoes of the undertaker,

nail in hand, suit creaseless and bible black.

From the square all aglow,

with leg bent as a bow,

came old Jack, ale in oaken hand,

eyes fired, suspicious and black.

The fishwifes squeak did spread,

to many a shrunken head,

and bounced about the dozing village,

from creaky gate to mossy mound.

From beneath the clock,

handless and cracked,

four crows hacked as the vicar proclaimed,

'From this day forth, loose thoughts or slanted eyes shall ne'er be seen near 'ear'