1937
The lights in the bus burned dim
Helen awoke in sour white daylight
Taking her time, Helen cycled slowly
Helen stood in the nave of the old church
Imogen closed the door behind her
The Angelus bell began ringing from the village
In Helen's room the Venetian blinds
I hear the wind in the high beech tree
The rockery and main garden grow wild
1932
Otto Beck lay in the meadow
One sunny, cloudless day
Late one night Imogen awoke
Why did I?
As the lights were out in Agnew's
Oh but it's true, Barry
When Imogen opened her eyes
Tollis peccata
About the same time that Imogen was boarding
He asked me would I go to the theatre with him
And you, he wanted to know, you are well off?
He led her along a ferny bridle path
She came again to the cottage
They followed the sheep path
Gin days; greenery everywhere
Imogen said with her teeth, her jaw
The autumn came and went
Dum bibitur... Otto said
Naked in the small cottage bedroom
He had been talking about his early student days
'Dear Otto'
An uncanny dusk. End of an uncanny day
Can I help it if I'm feeling sick?
Time passed. The pale white privet flowers
The child is dead
1938
The hearse stood at the gate
'Anschluss!'
Imogen awoke early.