2The Graveyard
There is a story I heard long ago
Of a boy who appeared out of the snow
Silently, without a sound
Leaving nothing but footprints on the ground
His footsteps were steady, sure and slow
Cheeks and nose red from winter's cruel blow
Not fighting back he continued beyond
Where his quarry, a graveyard, lay some distance on
His fingers curled tightly in his right pocket
Trying to remember the feel of the locket
And the picture it held safely in place
The truest, enduring tribute to her face
Everything was bleached white and gray
With a wandering mind it would be easy to stray
But he couldn't with the locket in his fingers
And while the memory of her still lingered
He crested a hill and with the snow still falling
He saw the sentinel gravestones calling
And he felt the pull of her spirit, and heart
Her final words that nothing could keep them apart
He picked up his pace with it now in sight
The weak sun's rays shining their light
On the fresh roses atop the stone
Reminding him that he was not alone
He came to a gate, rusty with years
It creaked open as he held back tears
Wandering through all the forgotten names
That fell victim to life's cruel games
Finally he fell to his knees
Wishing he could turn back time and make it freeze
When the sound of her name brought him smile
Instead of to the graveyard to cry for a while
He slowly traced the neat letters and numbers
While she lay below, unaware in her slumber
Then he pulled out the locket and gave it a kiss
Laid it on the roses, murmured how much she was missed
He stayed and talked to her about his life
About how he planned to make her his wife
How she would always be in his heart
How nothing could ever keep them apart
He stayed until the sun went down
Casting long shadows upon the ground
Leaving with the promise of tomorrow
Leaving her behind, but taking his sorrow