The lonely statues


There is no-one coming to church today,
Even the birds have flown away.
Look up there in the sky,
There is a big bird passing by.
Don’t be silly, said his wife,
It’s an aeroplane taking flight.
Well whatever it is, he replied,
It’s making an awful noise.
I would rather hear the church bells ring,
And the choir, singing with poise.

— Gilian Reid