they do not see them
nor hear them
for they disappear with the landscape
two old women one young man
three younger women and several children
they feel the horses approach
disappear into grass and trees
the horses and men stop camp
in morning light the men urinate
the smell is strong
one walks further catches a glimpse of child
they come in a pack from all directions
gathering them
except for one old woman
the people do not resist and seem unable to speak
they do speak with hands feet
and silent mouths shaping lips
the men are puzzled don't understand
failure to resist
when one reaches for a woman
a bloodcurdling cry comes from the trees
they pause what to do in the face of silence
cut by such a cry
one man reaches for his gun
he is stopped by another
and while their attention is taken
the small group vanishes as silently as before
they cannot see them
nor hear them
for they have disappeared into the landscape
Wow...that's volumes in eight stanzas. powerful subcurrents and haunting.
ReplyDeleteWow...that's volumes in eight stanzas. powerful subcurrents and haunting.
ReplyDeleteyes, wow, and wow!
ReplyDeleteMakes me think of some Apache tales .... powerful poem Susan!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. No known cultures are featured here. But interesting that you are reminded Beatrice.
ReplyDelete