Quarrel's Echo

The front steps seemed not
to remember my tread as if 
she had told them to treat
me like a stranger. I pushed 
the bell and felt the echo
of an empty house. I ran the 
the bell again but the locks obeyed
their orders and silence spoke
for the closed door. I turned
my back on the blank features
and told the steps good day, 
and my wish not to be salt
kept me from the sight of her
pale face hiding in a window
while two sparrows bickered in
the eaves over a half-built
nest. 
    Original Citation

    A Single Focus, 1967, pp. 40

    Word Count
    97
    Original Publication
    Date Published
    1967
    First Line
    The front steps seemed not