Holiday for mother Mary

Today is the day of Assumption, a catholic holiday in Landshut. There will be parades through the street maybe, and song, and church bells.
Or not.

Coffee made and the cat fed. The family asleep, the clocks all ticking to themselves.
It is soundless outside, no it is not. The window is closed, that is all.
Open the window onto the street, let the air in. There is the sound of a car in the distance.
Look out into the street, there is the priest walking over to the church.

And at nine forty five the church bells all sound, clamouring, calling the believers. Assumption, a day celebrating an old story, a belief.
And they toll without stopping for seven minutes.

And there is the hum of an insect now, woken by the warmth from the window, between the windows of the double glazing, trying to get out. It always flies up to the light, away from the open window pane at the bottom of the window. It will never get out at that rate.

Now it is nine, the church bells sound the hour, people pass outside.
This is a day of rest, the second day of a week of rest.

And the church bells start a again, a steady tolling, calling the faithful.


The streets are still silent, there is no one there.