Beyond the Pleasant Hill

Was just a walk beyond the road -- a shortcut past the bog, No different than the night before but this night there was fog. I climbed the pleasant hill from which the ‘yard had got it’s name, So cold and dark it was that night, a dim light I did flame. Blackest of the blackest eve’s I thought I might go blind, So quickly paced, I past the stone’s of relatives that died. Just past the breeze that got the willow shaking in the night I saw someone just standing where my path comes into sight -- I wondered why tonight they’d chosen To walk the same path I was roamin’ A closer look, not man nor woman… So still -- as if their form was frozen… “They must be lost“, I thought out loud, no light to find the path, So maybe they’re just standing there awaiting someone’s laugh. Or maybe they are frozen stiff by seeing my form too -- I couldn’t move though, be it just another passing through My flashlight though, so dim, was shining on them, so it seemed… …No looking up, no squinting eyes or arms to hide the beam, How could they not have noticed me, the light is right upon them? And just as I brought down my hand to light the way so trodden… I heard them move in front of me That form that stood beside the tree A quick response I shone the light Back at the path ahead in fright No person was still standing there… Just Trees, beyond the path I dared -- I stood there for eternity a-gasp and scared to death, Staring hard upon that spot where someone drew their breath. They’re somewhere past the beam of light that’s dimming by the second -- The eerie melody from lonely crickets only beckoned. A sudden crackle at my feet as if one stopped behind, I felt my heart beat through my chest, I thought I’d lost my mind. I thought I felt a windy chill then whisper past my ear, But turned to shine my light upon no stranger standing near. That instant -- I had dropped my bag and ran towards the gate, I swore I heard them running too I had no time to waste. So as I reached the entrance, looking back I think I said, “If you’re still there, I’ve changed my mind, I’ll take the street instead.”