BENEATH THE ELMS

Gently the wind of autumn touches the leaves.

                                        Upon my upturned face I feel the quickening breeze.

                                        Within the circle of shadow a solitary Specter guides.

                                        My heart thumps out, "How did you die, my lovely?"

                                        In the failing darkness an answer comes.

                                        "I heard the whippoorwill calling and sought my true love

                                        Where the hyacinths bloom.  Instead, Death took my hand.

                                        Only a tiny sharpness, a moment of surprise and I lay down 

                                        To die.

                                    No longer will I linger near the blooming flowers to await

                                    His return with gladness.  No greeting, no welcome kiss, no

                                    Wedding white for me.  He shall come to me, though I can not

                                    Return to him.

                                Saying this, the shadow moved silently away and I stood in

                                Awe, for the moment I had known.  Suddenly, it came to me.

                                Why had the Specter stopped me as I sped along my way?

                                Why was it the Specter spoke to me that day?    

                                Beneath the ancient elms, from the corner of my eye, I saw a 

                                Deadly snake slither silently by.