To the dead we go!

As I was preparing my manuscript for entry into a poetry chapbook contest, I came across this poem. It reflects upon my childhood, to a time when my brother and I ran away from home and hid in the cemetery. As today is also my brother’s birthday, I thought it would be nice to share this poem in lieu of a gift (since I’m broke and can’t afford to buy gifts).  Happy Birthday, my brother. And to the rest of you, I hope you also enjoy!

 

To the dead we go!

 

Brother said we had to run,

run, run away from home!

Where to go?

Anywhere but home!

To the dead we go!

 

Along the graveled road,

through the woods we trek;

over the barrel bridge

to cross the dried-up creek.

 

Beyond the old lagoon,

with towering weeds

and whispering clatters;

traversing trodden trails,

across the fields and thickets—

To the dead we go!

 

We looked at gravestones,

spoke of dead things,

and how we shouldn’t

have tread where dead were buried.

 

With light of day then fading,

ghosts swarming in a field,

angered and vengeful,

we made a swift return

back through woods to home—

To the dead we go!