He came through snow that swirled into drifts out in the cold
\nblue dusk. You could feel it enter the darkening house with him;
\ncandles guttered as the outer door closed. Silence filled throats
\neyes, assembled guitars. He stomped the snow off his boots
\nas you could hear somebody greet him in the entryway.
\nDown the hall a clock ticked and in the kitchen
\na refrigerator motor stopped: Freon gurgled. A log in the fireplace
\nfell in a shower of sparks, and he walked into the room.<\/p>\n
Everybody watched him, heard familiar pieties
\nthen watched the other stand and cross ten years
\nof silence over a once blooded disagreement
\nthat slid away as the two men hugged and smiled.
\nSome say they heard birds singing in the midst of the
\nlaughter and music that followed; some say trumpets, others
\na chorus of voices singing\u2014 I favour trumpets, a whole blasted orchestra.
\nThe music spread, and with it, laughter and hints of spring.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Two men who had not spoken for many years suddenly reconciled, to everyone’s relief and joy. (#1019) Continue reading