on loss

we burble on
from day to day
until the moment
when nothing more is heard

so suddenly
an innings ends
a surprise to all
not least 
the departed batsman

no calling him back
his innings has been concluded
scored by a double chevron in the book
how out stated bluntly
whether caught, stumped, bowled
run out, hit wicket
we are all timed out
eventually

the sequence of runs marked down
sketches out the bones of the innings
each can only be fleshed out
by unreliable memories
of irregular team-mates

now all is memory
no green mown field awaits
no fresh marked pitch
no guard requested
that was it
it's over
'Time' has been called

~

n.b. As big a shock, as great a loss as I can recall. I miss you, old chap. 

I know there will be more, we will all be given out at some point.

CLP 04/09/2025