Bowling Green
Yesterday as I passed
the bowling green
the smell of cut grass
under the sunshine
the groundsman with a stick
prodding the lawn
here and there
quietly testing the surface
and the quiet days
of cards and dominoes
will soon be over so I thought
and men and women
will once more take
to the green
and the games
will begin
and between ends
there will be endless talk
of those who are missing
those who never returned
after the long winter break
and the biased balls will roll
in the knowledge that time alone
calls the ultimate shots
John Lyons