Memories of Childhood
by John Appleby

~ 9 ~

As our gang of lads looked up from our safari on the Church Point, we went fast on bare feet towards a strange sight. A procession was approaching the end of the main street, and as we drew near, we saw that it was led by two black horses pulling a shining glass black-framed box on silently rolling wheels. On the horses heads, feathery black plumes nodded and their hooves made no sound. A figure in black sat up high, the reigns held in black-gloved hands. Inside the carriage we could see a coffin laid on a bed of white satin. A mass of flowers lay on the lid and trailed down over the golden handles. Following the hearse as it turned on to the track towards the church, came a sad column of black-clad people. In the background we could hear the low beat of a muffled drum. When we left the scene our last glimpse was of an island of black coats and hats behind the churchyard wall.

© 2003 John Appleby, New Zealand

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