The Sacrifice
(a place no one has ever been)
We live out in da country
Miles away from anyone else
Papa and six boys, well, we're young men now....just sayin
Momma died at childbirth when baby brother was born
Love it here, cept at night, sleepin through “the howlin”
Big old wood frame house, island by grassland; den da forest
We keep a farm of pigs, goats, even cows; what da heck for ?
Every night Papa slayed an animal; laid it at da edge of da woods
Never new why until he called us six boys together one creepy night:
“Boy’s, listen to me, listen good….your Papa’s dying,
It won’t be long
The last 20 years, your Momma and I set out here a sacrifice
I don’t know what in God’s name is out there
This thing ain't human
Notice how it’s quiet for a while so you can get to sleep
It’s feeding time
Damn right, it’s eating the sacrifice
Long as we put them dead animals out
We live
When I’m gone, it’s up to you six
Be my Nightwatch, ya hear me boys !
You all are men now
I love each one of you very much”
Father finished da story, den...
Said no one ever been in dem neck of doze woods
He bought property twenty (20) some years ago;
Prior owner told him da whole story
In a way I look at dis big monster as our protector
I've heard screamin at night, den da 'howlin'
O man, den dis loud munchin, chompin, chewin masdacated cry
Den more 'howlin'
Call da police ya say? No way. We safe...
So long we feed him, or it
At night: WHOAAA am scared to death
Papa's been gone a few years now
It’s up to us six to offer up da sacrifice
Every night
We older now and don’t all nestle up in one bed
Howlins still be, but we sleep at night best we can
Hated killin doze animals, deys didn’t do nuttin wrong
Dares no other way; we twied once and almost got ourselves scavaged alive
Am not goin out dare, never, not to
A place where no one has ever been
Copyright © Thomas Carney | Year Posted 2014
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