Dead Man’s Wake

A black silk tie
to match the lining
of the coffin.
We’ve come to raise
a final glass
and say goodbye.

A gentleman?
No, not him.
More a prig, that one.
A self-absorbed liar,
a cheat, and a scoundrel.
So glad he’s dead.

Farewell, old friend
We’ll not miss you a whit.

© All Rights Reserved A. F. Stewart

The Stone Bridge

The wooded glade

holds a secret

buried under

the old stone bridge

Evil deeds

and murdered bones,

deep beneath

the old stone bridge

Names whisper

in the darkness

from underneath

the old stone bridge

Nightmare in Red

Nocturnal encounter impending
Involuntary, shadow rendezvous
Garnet eyes peer from your dreams
Haunting your thoughts and soul
Titian tinted visions in ambience
Maroon shades stir from dark places
And your crimson heart thrashes
Repulsion chills your ruby blood
Eternally, perpetually, unbound

Instinctively, your eyes flutter
Never aware, no longer alone

Remnants of a bloodstained echo
Entangled in shreds of soft red vapour
Draped across your scarlet screams