HERITAGE

HERITAGE Like a last puff of dust from an empty room Almost a cough, as the last sign of life calls From times when it was a bustling residence Now deserted, with nothing left in evidence No tinkle of the childish laughter in the halls Just shuttered windows and this silent gloom A house with history, both the good and bad Gone, and few that now do hardly remember Yet it was often the talk of those in high places And some local resentment in particular cases All the contents auctioned off last November With death duties, the house left to the nation Grounds are no longer regularly maintained Since that final decision, all staff were let go Now, just a few black crows in attendance None left to inherit, no living descendants Lost secrets that now no-one will ever know At least, reputations may be left unstained