Death and the Hatted Man
For Deloris and Rose Etta
Sister, Sister,
Wake up
I am in a car
Alone
Driven by a hatted man
I’ve never seen before
I need you
Chaser of bogeymans
Slayer of monsters who live under beds
And ghosts who sneak in at night to terrorize children with gas and fear
Numbered cars lumber to the church
To view you,
Sister
I wish you were here to hold my hand to
Fix the barrettes in my pressed hair to
Fiddle with my gloves and still the
Trembling of my hands
Whisper, “Don’t be afraid”
Sister, Sister
Wake up
There are rope burns around your neck!
Young, thin, helpless
A too tight purple necklace with
Scalloped angry edges
Forged in rage
Who clasped that hateful choker, Pie?
Who?
Speak
I want to shake you, Sister!
I want to shake your eyes open
Shake you ‘til you sit up
Shake you ‘til that grisly locket unlatches
Shake you ’til your trapped breath rushes from your lungs
Sister, Sister
Wake up
Jesus, please
Sister Pie
Wake
Wake now
I’m falling into darkess
Without you
© Davita Joie 2016
Good imagery throughout the poem. Very vivid indeed.
Thank you!! And thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
This is fantastic, Davita. Reminds me a little of Emily Dickinson’s death carriage. And you’re line breaks are great.
Wow, Jessica! I have immense respect for you and your poetry, so I appreciate your comments. When this is over, I’ll have to tell you the story behind this. xoxo
Davita, A proud mommy and lover of poetry cries Bravo,
Beautiful, heartfelt. tear jerking, memory reviving. and so much more. Thanks for sharing, Mom