as time passes

In manors they sit
The spirits of years gone by
The monk, the priest, the steward
The lord and his lady close by

How goes the world
Does it move slower for them
Is tomorrow a blink of an eye
A week a mere trifle in time

The years become a century
And still the manor is there
The windows grow dusty
And the fires flicker on

What tales have these panels seen
What scandals lie hidden behind
What made the mark on the table
What dreams were laid bare

How many pots were brought in
What potage passed by
How many loaves were broken
The upper crust taken there

Did the beggar call in vain
Or was the poor box enough
What fever raged outside
Did the children survive

Will the sun look on still
The trees offer their shade
Will the roses bear blooms
Their fragrance cast a spell

And do we remember
The feet that passed this way
The path they have set for us
Who call here now