TheBanyanTree: SUB: Untended Grave / 192 / Prose Poetry

[Guy Koehler]

Untended Grave
By Guy Koehler
http://home.centurytel.net/rivendellranch/
192 Words


Harvest lies still-born in the late-July overcast sweat, 
under the spent husks of wild weeds. Their flourish already 
spent, spewn to the four corners on dust-devils. I stand 
bare-headed in the open fields, under Summer failure, our 
baptism into the embrace of Man's new sun.

The birds feast on mosquitoes, laden with each new foreign 
peril, singing their delight, fair to burst, yet hungered 
still for my scratched furrow of squandered seed. Not even 
the wind speaks aloud the ancient tormented wails I hear 
breathing across my soul.

Death, doom, destruction: no more floods was a lie -- 
something evil already arrived, sits on our doorsteps while 
we fight over riches we do not need.

My true-love died before birth bespoke a name. I sit now, 
bereft of reason, hope - soaking the fallow Mother, one 
salty pearl by untended care. I have led myself to an empty 
table, cup upended, awash in futures dead. As my neighbors 
festive dance the day away, Midnight calls.

Is there any other to hold this staff? I fear my strength 
was never enough.

Here lies my pride, uncovered, the last skin of an ordinary 
man.


END