Landscape Longing

the house stands empty of a family
flies buzz, sometimes the wind chime stirs
dogs lie dormant in the backyard sunshine
a new time weaves through this space
slower, quieter, sadder
but the golden end of day light stays constant
and there are objects which defy our absence
un touched, untidied away
Reverent as a closed museum,
Beautiful and untouched my time
a row of stuffed toys in dolls clothes
the end of the miniature fashion show
silent
the tower of animals and blocks
the meerkat keeping watch from the tower
a recipe book left lying open,
lamb baked with garlic and olives
lavender flowers in a small glass vase
wilting with neglect, but still alive
and the call of the jackal,
baboons shouting
echoing off the cliffs
as night falls.