How austere and grim
it would seem
the stone-walls are saying:
'memento mori'
as one unobtrusively
walks by -and further
'  I don't need any company'-

  stones have hearts too
  if you could believe me-

time has made them weary
they have witnessed and heard
too many a human story
once tears they did shed
for frail and sad humanity
but their hearts have hardened
seared by man's inhumanity-

some villagers vowed
they had heard
at midlight's depth
voices from the hill
where the stone-walls stood
as though in muted sobbing
at hours so solemnly still--

I walk nearby
past midnight
but that path
I would not tread
not out of dread
but in silent respect
as I well know
the stones want
to be left alone
not to be engaged
or met.