On a November Afternoon

Grant me a peaceful afternoon with hums alighting on nodding blooms, butterfly wings and a soothing lullaby whispered by washing hanging on a line. Let life be settled by a calm with pleasant talk and camomile tea and overhead, the soundless drift of clouds across a placid sky and leaves weaved in patterns to print a cooling shade upon a table set with scones, cream and raspberry jam, and above all, birdsong sweet enough to camouflage the sound of screams and falling bombs.