felo-de-se(1)

as a sorrowful sun sinks

into the surrounding countryside,

and turns its e'er watchful eye

from this church bell-tower;

gloom advances from its corners,

gaining from light's loss.

 

the flap of feather'd wings

decorticate cobwebs from rafters.

wooden beams seemingly hang

free in empty space;

 

(motion)

 

the groan of  an overburden'd rope,

a toppl'd chair upon a grey, speckl'd floor,

a fading shadow 'gainst a wall,

the toll of a silent thing swinging. 

Author's Note

(1) latin for felony of the self, i.e. suicide