Shireoaks

by John Stocks

Summer Saturday, early June
Train easing along the Lincoln line
Kiveton Bridge to Shireoaks
Lavender and woodbine.

Granddad waiting, raising his arm
Subtle infusion of memories
Lunch in the conservatory
Apple pie, strawberries.

The mesmerizing hum of bees
And extraneous embroidery
Of the conversation’s flow
As lunch drifted into tea.

As if summers could stretch
And windfalls of serendipity
Linger long after the fall
Towards infinity.

But nothing lasts forever
I always knew there would come a time
When only death would be waiting
At the end of the line.