On the Death of the Queen

I do not hunger for the news today I do not thirst for understanding It is as though the mirror shows a different face As though a shutter has been closed and the light Stopped. As though the clock ticks more slowly Today. As though the strata of my thoughts have Slid along a fault line and are out of Phase. I do not hunger for the news today I do not thirst for the understanding of others A constant point, a distant everpresence Has been stolen by the thief of time. I will grieve the loss of constancy And be grateful to have lived At such a time and pray a childlike prayer. Kim Helen James 9/9/2022