Standing Stone

Yes,

it’s a field

and here at its heart

a standing stone

a lichen-licked

and mossy

monolith

the effort

I shouldn’t wonder

of an afternoon or two’s labour

by some

Neolithic team

of hard handed

locals

here,

now,

nudged by cows.

We’ve found our way here

silently

having argued on the path,

and now I’ve followed you

over the grass

to sit for

a moment’s sulking

in this dewlapped

pasture

to contemplate

the time

we’ve spent together

and the changes,

imminent,

that threaten our co-existence

do you even like me anymore?

And this stone

just is

here,

now,

and whether we leave hand in hand

or with me

continuing

to drag my heels behind you

actually doesn’t matter

much

now

does it…