now listen friend
though
it ain’t supposed to be
they’ve buried
their dead
in that barren fenced-in lot
right over there
all burial services have been
fine
celebrations of life
by
homeless persons
services were conducted
by a fellow
called
preacher
don’t know if he is
but
he does have a way
with
words
didn’t have to dig the graves
since
parts of the oil pipeline
caved in
during
the last set
of
thunderstorms
creating
a number of sinkholes
coffins
have been made from
leftover crates
from
the pipeline company
sure
a lot cheaper
than those
from
funeral homes
in any case
i’m telling you this
cuz’
you asked
if
homeless people
truly appreciate life
i suppose
one could say
they appreciate it more
than most
for they have the least
of
what life has to offer
so
they’re not confused
or
overwhelmed
by its shiny objects
and the day came when the old man received no gifts to fulfill his needs or his desires for all those things had been granted but he still moaned and groaned feeling sorry for himself while the pauper outside his door gave thanks for a meager meal
odd little place
nestled
among
ohio’s hills
a general store
ran
by
the appearance
of
its owner
for
decades
upon
decades
as would be expected
everything
you might fancy
was
available
some things
i hadn’t seen
since
my youth
were
readily available
enamored
by
this relic of time
and
its owner
i asked
to take his photo
he said
most certainly
but said
just one moment
he went
into
another room
i noticed him
slicking down his hair
for
the picture
i
also noticed
a calendar
with
days x-ed out
after
taking his portrait
i
inquired
about the calendar
he said
i’m marking the days
till
my death
curious
i inquired
when might that be
he said
i don’t know
the marks
are to remind me
to celebrate
each day
as if
the
last
canopy conceals the stars and moon darkness shrouds the source of sounds in a veil of fear sounds come from all directions none louder than the boy’s pounding heart as shallow breaths join the chorus of fear suddenly strong scents fill his nostrils it’s like an approaching death pulse quickens he lowers his body to the ground becoming one with the earth then a torch is lite he is encircled by his elders bapa dola speaks saying each hunter must have empathy for their prey the taking of life for survival means the end of survival for another so should be done with respect and understanding of the prey’s fear a fire was lit and the elders brought forth nature’s offerings for a boy was now a man
Read Between the Minds 