deepundergroundpoetry.com

Halloween

 
I smelt smoke in the evening air
walked the way as every day
birch leaves crisp and yellow
pine greens and ginger larch.
I stepped the ditch
not trusting the simple bridge
saw chimney smoke to the east
from whence I came.
Through the doorless doorway
entered uninvited, never thought to ask.
No door,not for many a year
neither were there window frames.
Was then I saw the candle flicker
on the tree-trunk table,
clay beaker steaming tea.
I quickly turned to leave the hut
felt I was not alone
but a door slammed shut.
Never there before, I could not leave
my dog nowhere to be seen.
Again I turned, logs burning in the hearth
orange flame and blackened kettle
saw him sucking on a pipe,
sitting in a Clun-back chair
made by calloused hands from green-wood,,
through the spider web of years,
He did not speak; nor I.
He seemed to know me,
we had never met, so I thought.
The two who leaned the wall I knew,
another time; lovers from a war.
I had intruded once before,
caught them making love,
envied their delight.
Had he all these years
shared his home.....why not?
I should leave but could not;
the logs burning in the fire,
were not consumed the candle no shorter.
for one brief moment, the old man seemed alive
the lovers warm and smiling,
heavy coats held close,
loved again, as once I saw.
When had they met,these three?
nowhere else to live; nowhere else to go.
out of place, their world not of mine;
they turned,stared, held out their hands,
pleading or was it welcome?
Faded in the candle light,
the door behind creaked open,
fresh cool woodland air welcome.
My watch resumed its vigil,
a village clock rang six,
one last glance and they were gone,
as was the chimney smoke.
Written by Kexby (john rickell)
Published
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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