what i found there

ah, today they are taking away the last of the ancients.

two summers ago they took my old friend in pieces--took her apart and tossed her into the box of a shabby old truck. a very unregal escort for a classy dame such as herself. i mourned her woefully and held a makeshift wake with the window open, hoping johnny cash's sad song would drown out the chainsaw's ravenous howl for her.

i miss her silent splendor and the way she waited like a silver spectre in the summer nights for me, when stars forced light in vain to mimic her. she didn't even have to try, and they didn't look half so nice sprinkled on the velvet alone as they did sprinkled through her lovely hair. in the quiet hour i stood beneath her and gazed heavenward, knowing i could stay forever, not knowing that she couldn't.

i hear that old familiar tune, the song of doom and beauty's requiem again...the final stand.
her right hand is all that's left now, jutting like a skeletal farewell from the earth who just the other day whispered old invitations to come back to life.


and now what? the street makes no sense. the little ones will ask "birch drive? mommy, what is 'birch'?" and maybe someone will remember them. and i--i will find their dear old sisters and mothers and tell them of this urban tragedy i've seen unfold. and maybe if i ask, they will let me stay, and the stars will look right again..