{"id":8628,"date":"2021-09-21T15:29:28","date_gmt":"2021-09-21T14:29:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stuartpoetry.art\/?p=8628"},"modified":"2021-09-21T15:29:28","modified_gmt":"2021-09-21T14:29:28","slug":"a-visitor-from-brazil-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/2021\/09\/21\/a-visitor-from-brazil-2\/","title":{"rendered":"A Visitor from Brazil"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mike and Pauline were sitting in a coffee shop in Marlborough High Street<\/p>\n

They had nearly finished their coffee and were considering ordering replacements<\/p>\n

Mike was reading a book about Wiltshire which had frequent references to Marlborough deep in its pages.<\/p>\n

The book dated from 1951 and it emitted an almost undetectable smell of damp<\/p>\n

Mike thought that that it might have been positioned on a damp shelf and this accounted for the feel and smell of the book<\/p>\n

The book had been in his possession for nearly a year and had travelled with him when he had visited Brazil<\/p>\n

It was here that he had finally met Pauline<\/p>\n

They had corresponded for over a year and occasionally were able to contact each other via the internet<\/p>\n

But here she was sitting opposite him in a coffee shop in a Wiltshire market town<\/p>\n

Although the day was quite mild Pauline was wearing a thick grey sweater and light blue jeans<\/p>\n

She had not become familiar with the damp air of the county<\/p>\n

Mike placed his book on the wooden coffee table<\/p>\n

Here listen to this it is rather interesting
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

In your book?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes<\/em><\/p>\n

It is about a man a native of this town who died far away
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

In Brazil?<\/em><\/p>\n

No in London
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

That is not very far<\/em><\/p>\n

It is far enough if you are a man of Wiltshire
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Read it to me
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Is it a long passage?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Not really
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Shall we have another coffee before we start?<\/em><\/p>\n

Pauline walked the short distance to the counter smiling quietly at a new-born baby in a pram as she did so<\/p>\n

Mike watched her in one of the many mirrors that had been retained on the brown wall<\/p>\n

He noticed quite quickly that Pauline was struggling to make herself understood even though her English was good<\/p>\n

I understood some of her English but her accent confused me
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Mike knew the woman and was aware that she had a deep accent<\/p>\n

I knew her family they originated from the other side of the county<\/em><\/p>\n

What is her name?<\/em><\/p>\n

Susan
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Do other people understand her?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Is it because I am from overseas?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

No
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

A visitor from the other end of the country might have problems understanding her
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But you understand her?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes<\/em><\/p>\n

It is because this is your county?<\/em><\/p>\n

Partly
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Did you notice the difference in the regional accents when you travelled with me in Brazil?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

To some extent
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Pauline sipped her coffee<\/p>\n

She was glad to be in England and felt refreshed<\/p>\n

Her life felt less complicated as it had been in Brazil which seemed to her to be a trail of failed relationships<\/p>\n

Mike was not trying to dominate her as many of her previous boyfriends had<\/p>\n

He seemed uncomplicated<\/p>\n

As she returned her wallet to her bag she caught a glance of her best friend Belen<\/p>\n

A small hint of sadness passed by<\/p>\n

Do you miss Brazil?<\/em><\/p>\n

I miss Belen
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Were you close?<\/em><\/p>\n

I have known her since we were small
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Mike did not continue with his questioning<\/p>\n

When one pulls a fish from a polluted pond<\/em><\/p>\n

Is this a kindness?<\/em><\/p>\n

Or an invasion<\/em><\/p>\n

A maroon bus stopped outside of the coffee shop<\/p>\n

Where is the bus going to Mike?<\/em><\/p>\n

To Salisbury I believe<\/em><\/p>\n

I would like to visit Salisbury
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Then we will quite soon
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Will I like Salisbury?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes it is a stunning town
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

It has a great cathedral no?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes it has a great cathedral
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

With a high spire?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes it has a magnificent spire
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

How high is the spire?<\/em><\/p>\n

I am not sure but it is the tallest in England
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

The bus moved away and a gasp of sunlight suddenly lit up the tables nearest to the window<\/p>\n

Ah that was a celestial bus<\/em><\/p>\n

There was no light and now there is light
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

A few years ago an unknown man lay dying in a hospital in the East End of London
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

He had no friends
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

No visitors
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

No letters
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

No-one even knew his name
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

He was just a fragment of jetsam thrown up from the London docks<\/em><\/p>\n

One day when the chaplain came to see him the man seemed restless<\/em><\/p>\n

He tried to speak<\/em><\/p>\n

The chaplain bent over him saying<\/em><\/p>\n

Do you want anything?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

At first there was no answer and then suddenly the light of memory let up the mans dying face
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

He tried to speak
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I do not understand you my son
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

The dying man\u2019s slack lips moved and he quietly said
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

The Marlborough Downs in the rain
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Then his light faded and he fell back and died<\/em><\/p>\n

Michael closed his book<\/p>\n

That was a sad story
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

It was a man of the fields forced from the land for a life at sea<\/em><\/p>\n

Who was the man?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

He was nameless<\/em><\/p>\n

Are these Marlborough Downs special?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes very much
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Your book is quite beautiful
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

The man was a native of Marlborough you see
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

He knew the area in all its moods<\/em><\/p>\n

But died far away
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

He did not ask for fine weather with his dying breath
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Only that he might see the Marlborough on a day such as this when the mists are low and damp
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

An older man who was sitting at an adjacent table smiled at Mike<\/p>\n

I hope that you do not mind me interrupting you<\/em><\/p>\n

No
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

And your wife
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

She is not my wife
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I am his Brazilian visitor
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Your English is good<\/em><\/p>\n

I am of an English heritage
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Many years ago English engineers came to my country to work on the railways
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I am distantly related to them via my father<\/em><\/p>\n

We speak both English and Portuguese in my house
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I can see your European heritage in your face your eyes although Latin have a hint of an English day hidden in them
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I stray though
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Do you realise that Marlborough has a distinction from other towns?<\/em><\/p>\n

I think I know what you are going to say
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You are a local boy
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes Marlborough born and bred
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Marlborough is one of the coldest places in the southern counties<\/em><\/p>\n

It lies in a large depression you know<\/em><\/p>\n

We are amongst the highest downs in Wiltshire
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Pauline pulled her sweater closer as she for some reason felt cooler than before<\/p>\n

When one approaches the town from the highest point a sense of quiet serenity can be sensed
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

An elderly woman walked through the door<\/p>\n

Richard are you boring these poor people?<\/em><\/p>\n

I am sorry I was interrupting
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Not a bit I welcomed your company
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

The man put on his light overcoat and with a precision placed a hat on his head<\/p>\n

I must be going it was so nice to meet you both and do enjoy your visit my dear<\/em><\/p>\n

Pauline had not thought about it at length but she was a visitor<\/p>\n

She was an outsider in a Wiltshire town<\/p>\n

Do you know what these are?<\/em><\/p>\n

Pauline rolled up her sleeve exposing a number of small scars which were hardly visible to the naked eye<\/p>\n

Your past those are the minute scars of your past
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I tried to drown myself once but chose the shallowest pool
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Do you think that the elderly man knew of my addiction?<\/em><\/p>\n

He only saw your beauty
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Will you be like the old man when you age?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Maybe
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

When I age I will be an old hag
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I do not think so
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I will Belen and I have agreed to be old hags when we age
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Do you think that Belan is beautiful?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

That is an impossible question
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

She has a scar you know on her back the result of an automobile accident
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

She hates the scar
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

It is an imperfection
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

That is why she does not use the beach
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I am proud of my scars they speak to me
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Of the past
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

My past seems so far away when I am sitting here
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You are in a different country<\/em><\/p>\n

When you first saw my photograph what did you think of me?<\/em><\/p>\n

The same as I do now<\/em><\/p>\n

That being
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

That you were beautiful
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Did you lust after me?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Even though I was an image or hidden many miles away
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

A year before I met you I could often be found on strange floors sometimes slumped in my own vomit
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I was an addict
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You thought you were an addict
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Why do you say that?<\/em><\/p>\n

You had a problem but it was like walking in the sea
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You were still in the shallows
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I tried to drown myself in the shallows
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Not many people drown in shallow waters
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But you will be as wet if you emerge from a shallow pool
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I agree
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Mike passed his book to Pauline<\/p>\n

Read this passage to me
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Richard the Lion heart had a foster brother named Alexander Neckham who wrote a poem which he called<\/em><\/p>\n

The Praise of Divine Wisdom<\/em><\/p>\n

It contained a couplet which related to Marlborough<\/em><\/p>\n

Great Merlin\u2019s grave
\nIts name to Marlborough in Saxon gave
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

The towns motto contains the words<\/em><\/p>\n

Where are sage Merlin\u2019s bones?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I find these lines confusing Mike
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Some do I did not understand them at once<\/em><\/p>\n

In short the quotations obviously connect Marlborough Caste and Marlborough Mound
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Marlborough Mound?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

A similar earthwork to the one I showed you at Silbury
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I am not aware of a castle in this town<\/em><\/p>\n

It is long gone
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

It was in ruins even by Leyland\u2019s time although rebuilt later
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

It later became an inn popular during the coaching days of this town
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

And then it became a school and is part of the college in the town<\/em><\/p>\n

Did you go to this college?<\/em><\/p>\n

No I just suffered a plain education as most boys born in this town endured
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But you are so smart Mike
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You have taken Brazilian girl away from the country of her birth and are showing her the beauty of your home town
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I woke up this morning to the sound of the church bells
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I get so used to them that I am deafened by familiarity
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You showed me your home town<\/em><\/p>\n

My home town is not beautiful
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You have the beach
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

The beach is over an hour\u2019s drive from my town
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

It is not part of my town<\/em><\/p>\n

There are no beaches in Marlborough although like you we are around an hour from the sea<\/em><\/p>\n

Pauline handed the book to Mike<\/p>\n

That is a very wise book so poetical
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Let us get ready the day is clearing we have some exploring to do
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Will I need my coat?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You will need your coat remember Marlborough is a very cold town<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

For the second time that day Mike and Pauline had broken for refreshment<\/p>\n

They were sitting at one of the many trestle tables that were conveniently placed in front of the\u00a0Red Lion<\/em>\u00a0at Avebury<\/p>\n

Unlike their visit to the lazy coffee shop earlier in the day they thought they deserved their break as they had walked from Broad Hinton<\/p>\n

Pauline had taken a liking to the local beer exclaiming how superior it was to the cheap imported beer in Brazil<\/p>\n

Pauline was reading a book about the stones which she had purchased at the National Trust shop nearby<\/p>\n

Mike as he normally did was watching the traffic pass<\/p>\n

He could see the road to his right disappearing towards Devizes and to Swindon in the opposite direction<\/p>\n

Marigold\u2019s house was now empty as it had been for a number of years but little else had changed since his childhood<\/p>\n

If anything the area attracted more love<\/p>\n

It lacked the madness of Stonehenge and one could touch the stones<\/p>\n

Everything was free<\/p>\n

In this book it says that farmers are unsentimental creatures
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

They are
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Why do you say that?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

How many horses do you see apart from those with leisure riders?<\/em><\/p>\n

In the fields?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

There were no horses in the fields
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Just over a hundred years ago you would have seen many horses in the fields
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Where did they go?<\/em><\/p>\n

It all changed after the First World War
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

As well as men many horses died in the carnage
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

And when peace returned some things had changed<\/em><\/p>\n

Tractors were widely available
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

And the horses were not used greatly after that
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

What happened to them?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

As I said farmers are not sentimental
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

A lot of horses ended up in the abattoir
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

How dreadful
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

We treat horses well now but it was a harsh lesson
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Belen taught me to ride when I was recovering
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

We would take a tired but friendly nag out and explore the green areas outside of the town
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Without Belen I do not think I would be sitting here talking to you
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

For a while Mike and Pauline stayed silent<\/p>\n

They watched a smartly dressed woman park her car and make her way to the nearest stone<\/p>\n

She photographed it once with an expensive looking camera and then returned to her car and drove away<\/p>\n

Two German children were playing tag sometimes near the busy road whilst their parents chatted with friends<\/p>\n

Two bikers were inspecting each other\u2019s machines<\/p>\n

This day will not be repeated Pauline
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Explain
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

This day is unique as yesterday was unique and as tomorrow will be unique
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

If we sit here tomorrow things will not be the same
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

It is different in Brazil especially if you go to the beach
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You will drive along the same road and visit the same beach and quite often you will see the same people
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

And these people will be doing the same thing
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

That being
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Pauline smiled at Mike and for a moment he witnessed the divorce she had set in place<\/p>\n

She was on the beach again<\/p>\n

Wishing that Belen has accompanied her<\/p>\n

But Belen did not visit the beach because of her scar<\/p>\n

He had sat on the beach with Pauline<\/p>\n

But he felt like an outsider<\/p>\n

To Pauline the beach was a natural place<\/p>\n

She would visit it often<\/p>\n

It was part of her culture<\/p>\n

Tanning swimming having a good time
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Things will be slightly different each day
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Taken
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

What would happen if Belen ignored her scar and accompanied you to the beach?<\/em><\/p>\n

I would like that
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But your day would be different to the previous day and if Belen did not accompany you on the following day then that would differ also
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I do not see a beach in Avebury
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

There are no beaches in Avebury
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

After they finished their beer Mike and Pauline decided to explore the stones again<\/p>\n

This was not their first visit but each visit was different<\/p>\n

The light of the day whilst being acceptable was not bright and the sun was struggling to make an appearance<\/p>\n

The wind was from the south west and was a little damp although the day was very mild<\/p>\n

Mike was carrying his coat and felt quite warm in his light sweater<\/p>\n

Pauline had not released the zip of her coat and had only when they had broken for refreshment taken her collar down<\/p>\n

Do you know that up to about two hundred years ago these stones were the pride of the local downs?<\/em><\/p>\n

They could be found quite often in the area
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But they were good building materials
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

If you look at the churches you will see the use of these stones I spotted one today where the base of its tower was made from these stones
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But the church you said was much older
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

I agree but the original tower might have been faulty and repairs would have taken place
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

The use of these stones is everywhere
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Look at the gateposts of the ancient cottages<\/em><\/p>\n

Those that date from the seventeenth and the early eighteenth centuries were made of the stones or possibly hard chalk marl
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

When we return to the village you will observe that a large number of the used the local stones
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But these were temples or so my book says
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Possibly no one has totally confirmed their history
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

People have different views
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But as with farmers builders are not sentimental creatures
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Even today most care little or at least this is my view
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Although this will not be spoiled vast areas of land are now covered with housing
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You notice this when you travel on trains
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Where does London start and end?<\/em><\/p>\n

On the local railway the countryside only really starts in the Hungerford area
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

We are much more enlightened these days but it is a constant battle
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You are a very passionate man<\/em><\/p>\n

A man who travelled all the way to Brazil to bring me to his own country
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

To show me this and cold Marlborough
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Are you missing your home?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

No I miss the sunshine and the heat but there are other things that I do not miss
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

There seems to be room in your county
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Parts of England are quite crowded
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But not like Brazil the world is well aware of the major problems we face
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

There does not seem to be as many in England
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

There are many but you do not always see them
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Things get done but our progress is slow at times
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

In Brazil a clumsy quick fix is sometimes used
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Sometimes they work and that is good
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But like the major sporting events quick fixes were used
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

And some of them are now coming apart believe me
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But why are we speaking about my homeland in this beautiful place?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Apart from small conversations Mike and Pauline said little to each other<\/p>\n

They followed the paths above the ditches and finally ended up walking up the West Kennet Avenue<\/p>\n

When we reach the top if we turn left and then climb up another slope you will see Silbury Hill
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But this time from afar
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Mike laid his coat on the ground<\/p>\n

Here sit on this
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

No it will spoil you coat
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

It is muddy already
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Just sit on my coat and close your eyes
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Then I will not see anything
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But you will hear much
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You will hear the history of the area
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You will witness the visit of a King
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You will hear the archaeologists at work
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You will hear the builders and the farmers
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But most of all you will hear the rhythm of the seasons
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Marigold once told me that
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

At first I did not believe her<\/em><\/p>\n

But as I grew older I began to see and hear it for myself
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Pauline sat on the coat and closed her eyes<\/p>\n

At first she felt nothing<\/p>\n

She was on the floor of a bare flat<\/p>\n

A man lay nearby<\/p>\n

He was singing to himself<\/p>\n

A hypodermic needle lay between them<\/p>\n

She was fully clothed under a freezing shower<\/p>\n

Belen had pinned her against the tiled wall<\/p>\n

She was slapping her face and swearing at her<\/p>\n

Belen was wearing her best dress which was soaking<\/p>\n

She was walking along a beach<\/p>\n

The beach was deserted<\/p>\n

She was wearing Belen\u2019s favourite dress<\/p>\n

To her right was a shallow pool<\/p>\n

She had memories of this pool<\/p>\n

What have you seen Pauline?<\/em><\/p>\n

My past I have seen my past<\/em><\/p>\n

Possibly you are not yet ready
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

It took me years to feel the rhythms
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Maybe it is too soon
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

But they will come to you
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Pauline stood up<\/p>\n

I am a little cold
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

It is your Latin blood
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Remember I am a little English like you
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Then soon you will not feel the damp and cold
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Mike looked at the clouds building from the west<\/p>\n

I think it will rain soon
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

In about an hour
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

We should return to cold Marlborough
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

That evening Pauline was trying to contact her friend on the internet<\/p>\n

She was swearing quietly under her breath<\/p>\n

Suddenly a connection was established and she returned to Brazil<\/p>\n

They were speaking in their native language<\/p>\n

Pauline suddenly clapped her hands together<\/p>\n

The conversation continued for another hour and by the time it had ended Mike was deep in his book<\/p>\n

Pauline sat on the arm of his chair<\/p>\n

Guess what
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

What<\/em><\/p>\n

Belen went to the beach today for the first time since the accident
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

What prompted her to do that?<\/em><\/p>\n

My letter I sent Belen a letter describing this town<\/em><\/p>\n

She said that I had changed so much that there was no reason that she should not change also
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

And she went to the beach
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Her scar was unimportant as my addiction is unimportant now
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Mike held Pauline\u2019s hand<\/p>\n

They kissed lightly<\/p>\n

Time passes even in the countryside but you do not see it pass
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

You feel the passing of time that is all
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Time was always going to pass for you and Belen<\/em><\/p>\n

Wherever you are time passes at the same speed
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Everything is relative<\/em><\/p>\n

In the distance the church bells heralded a new day<\/p>\n

Pauline went into the bedroom and readied herself for her sleep<\/p>\n

Mike picked up his pad<\/p>\n

He wrote<\/p>\n

Time passes even in the countryside but you do not see it pass<\/em><\/p>\n

You feel the passing of time that is all
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Wherever you are time passes at the same speed
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Everything is relative
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

He considered these words to be a good starting point for a story<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mike and Pauline were sitting in a coffee shop in Marlborough High Street They had nearly finished their coffee and were considering ordering replacements Mike was reading a book about Wiltshire which had frequent references to Marlborough deep in its pages. The book dated from 1951 and it emitted an almost undetectable smell of damp […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8628"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8628"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8628\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}