Just a Curio

In the cold pale sunlight that was slanting down, I spied

Frost reflecting on the glass and in the air outside

Fond relations mouthing words of love and tragedy

Though it's cold, there's vapour rising from a moving stream

In a narrow, shallow bed of fine linen and starch

Where her long hair tumbled once upon her graceful arch

Lace hung on the counters and the walnut cabinets

Teeth ware chattering like schoolgirls clicking castanets

There will be no light to guide as you ascend the stairs

There may be a candle as you kneel and say your prayers

Throw the window wide and open, keep this mark from me

Just the letter T and its most dread companion B

How in heaven? Hadn't it been conquered long ago?

How did it come back again? It's just a curio