August: The Novel

“two ways

still even today

written on a stone

as the black bird 

flies above the tomb

out back 

in the field of 

blue and berries

that old woman still 

stomping on his remains

over a misbehaved  

no one has to hold the blame

heard he left 

her mistake

guess she had

the whole town convinced 

till the walking dead

said they need the land

for a parking space

to build something grand

So the city said

almost took a bullet to her head

Until she realized 

she is not better off dead 

so she whispered to chip

come snow come rain 

I shall never leave this grave

and then she prayed 

as the son gave

her another chance 

to choose one of

two ways”