Death and the Hatted Man (3)

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

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