Shadows lift with the morning sunrise, to unveil its kiss to the morning mist draped upon the mountains. Radiant sparkles flutter in the surface of the lake, as the birds chirp their song to the day.
The bells peal a dirge
The shuffle of feet stir dust
On an open grave
© All Rights Reserved A. F. Stewart
Winds blow north, with the coming
In your bones you feel your fear
Through the mists drift the drumming
Forlorn eyes shed one more tear
Voices mournful, chant the dirge
for sons they lost, gone away
Flung too far, hope can’t emerge
when Death cast your dream astray
© All Rights Reserved A. F. Stewart
In the last rays of swirling light
when the earth kisses the dusk,
will you dance among the graves
and sing a gentle song for Death?
When the earth kisses the dusk
where will your tired footsteps lead?
To a tombstone not yet etched?
Will you dance among the graves,
a ghostly apparition in your arms,
that bitter, closing waltz, macabre?
And sing a gentle song for Death,
laugh bravely as you pass his shadow.
He awaits only the sweet music’s end.
© All Rights Reserved A. F. Stewart
She hovers o’er the unmarked grave,
This graveside ghost of River Shore.
Her trailing gown, a whispered wave.
She hovers o’er the unmarked grave.
Her weeping soul, eternal slave,
Chained to her corpse forevermore.
She hovers o’er the unmarked grave,
This graveside ghost of River Shore.
© All Rights Reserved Caroline Adele O’Brien
GRAVE END
Breathing choked yet there he lies
Unmarked weighted earthen tomb
Rooted in his muffled cries
Inside Earth’s dim crushing womb
Eyes awaken death’s surprise
Deep in dirt he tries to rise
Arms chained up there isn’t room
Limbs submerged in death’s disguise
Ingest last breath dirt consume
Vanquished pulsing vein drip-dries
Exhales final soul demise
© All Rights Reserved Caroline Adele O’Brien
The clock ticks on.
Darkness consumes us, weak or brave.
The clock ticks on.
The sun will rise, and then its gone.
Although it is the light we crave,
Time’s finger points us toward the grave.
The clock ticks on.
© All Rights Reserved Caroline Adele O’Brien
Kintsugi Poets Society 