The streets that are normally thronged with tourists are silent now

Canterbury’s shops are open and awaiting their summer trade

But it does not visit them and they are beginning to fade slowly from sight

As the sun skipped in and out of the clouds I noticed the pale fires beginning to glow

In a year or so this cathedral city will be fully deserted apart from the wretched rats

Who will enjoy with abandon the fragile freedoms that we so carelessly lost