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