Gray matter

In Competition No. 2938, to mark the tercentenary of Thomas Gray’s birth, you were invited to submit an ‘Elegy on a Country Churchyard’ written in the metre of his famous and enduringly popular poem. Every-one was a winner this week, but frustratingly we have room for only six. Those printed below take £25. The bonus fiver is Chris O’Carroll’s.
 

Time was these mossy stones drew reverent throngs
As Sundays called the village to this place,
But years have hushed our common prayers and songs.
We thrive now on a different brand of grace.
 
Jazz concerts in this yard have we convened,
And readings by the poets of the shire,
About whose verses this much we have gleaned:
Few know of them and fewer still admire.
 
The ladies of our garden club, without
Their clothing, but discreetly screened by flowers,
Have done that calendar you’ve heard about,
Big seller in the gift shop. Check our hours.
 
Our website is the envy (deadly sin)
Of all who work ye olde nostalgia zone.