Death

roaring bonfires burn-
shadows of ancient stones paint
the salisbury plain
–
waning daylight-
a crow stands guard
over those long dead

the time worn tombstones
children taken far too soon
their stories untold
–
a cardinal takes wing-
poppy blossoms
in the church yard

in the overgrowth
well worn by the hands of time
forgotten tombstones
–
by the window
waiting, staring
at the falling snow

sailing the narrows
navigating the graveyards
of nameless seamen
–
rising tide-
waves break
on hidden shoals

dwelling in the past-
bricked up in this house of pain
my arm, my jailer
–
a wasp’s sting-
repeated lies
no longer told

eaten alive, wedged
in the belly of the beast
resigned to his fate
–
roaring water-
the spawning grounds
await upstream

acrid smoke rising
the ruins of our marriage
burned and smoldering
–
twilight-
our wedding vows
worn and tarnished

empty eyes soulless-
sliding down the razors edge
between life and death
–
soft rattles-
promises of release
in the tall grass

faces of the dead
constantly with me waiting
for my eyes to close
–
lost souls-
the silence
of the fen

an aging oak tree-
all our sins laid bare beneath
the outstretched branches
–
a shoe in the grass-
the tire swing
motionless