At first glance, he seems the younger man,
Bright gortex pulled tight against the wind
It is the rucksack -
Surely the load he carries -
That makes him so slow up the hill.

The other, sheltered by the wall from the squalls:
Waits, huddled by the gate, until the time
For the exchange of words
Wisdom or foolishness
For two men in this wildness must speak.

"There is nothing beyond" He keeps his face hid
Beneath the brim of his shepherd's hat
"Many have ventured this way
Across the fells
None have returned to green pasture"

The first man laughed: despite the storm and his load,
He laughed. "We played together, you and I
As children. You lied then
And you lie now.
See: I leave here my legacy: bread, wine and light."

Y.