BELLS

BELLS Bells that talk among themselves Sounding their distinct messages From one city church to another Predictably on each exact hour Yet sometimes for special reasons In celebration, maybe as a warning Whether singly or a complex peal Some low, others higher in pitch Tones reaching into the distance Heard, yet ignored by thousands Thought a token of a bygone age Yet all still with an important role A hopeful Sunday call to prayer In an increasingly agnostic land Yet campanology skills survive Expertise in ringing the changes A commitment, if not to music But to maintaining the tradition Bell ringing for the community That if silenced, will be missed