Across the railroad
and down the road by the river;
swirling fog.
Underneath the trestle bridge,
Choking sadness, weeping, wailing.
Stop it, no, leave me alone!
People watching, with fires burning,
bodies swaying in the wind.
Past the bridge the tension leaving
Trees both left and right.
A peaceful field, a spirit portal,
hidden 'neath the starry sky.
Trees again, sporadic houses
Un-owned, un-lived-in, but inhabited.
Lonely curves on a lonely road.
Tension mounting, sadness growing.
Weight of rocks piled on my chest.
Abandoned houses looming darkly
Lights burn bright in an old barn.
The school stands tall, empty, dark,
Doors and windows all are gone.
Children playing, laughing, happy.
They don't remember what's occurred.
The teacher stands, guardian still.
O'er-whelming grief for lives lost.
Silver tears trace shining trails down cheeks
made pale by the strength of the sadness of the spirit,
the children's guardian now and always.
The car is turned; the grief remains.
The looming darkness that is the school draws eyes that long to look away.
A gnome torments a water nymph, and the return trip starts.