as the dew wets the dust
drips from the tall grass
walking forward as I must
to see a lake smooth as glass

past the gaunt hangmans tree
left over from times gone by
looking away as far as I can see
look away from the death, I sigh

no mercy given, none asked
though their thoughts linger
as if they both were, tasked
to see, a portrait of a finger

on the horizon, grief, tears
wept by those left behind
not constrained by fears
of those, shuttered, unkind

where did the conscious go?
conclusions reached, to dismiss
leached by daily living, slow?
to offer up, are we so remiss

does the immense, scope of living
daily chores garnered from youth
degenerate the call of giving?
forgive the lies, cover the truth?

as the dew turns to rain
seasons over, turns to snow
I ponder what is the insane
and watch the sun go low

as humanity enters from the left
shorn of loving, giving, dwindles
as children cry, parents bereft
caustically thrown away, swindled