Bells and Other Sorrows, X

And so comes the time
of the long forgetting-

fallen leaves in the river
rafting slowly
downstream
to gather at the locks
of yesterday's hopes

I told you: go home
if you are truly
happy
where you are
go home and
be happy, then

the laughter of
children running
through your halls
will drown
the thunder of the
bellsong
you tried so hard
to ignore
until
you find it no longer rings
for you anyway