Cemetery Road

I drove along Cemetery Road this morning

just like so many other mornings

and saw faded silk flowers

caught within the black iron of the gate

having been carried there

by that odd southern January wind

that had gusted up till dawn

Those flowers reminded me of so many lost souls

lingering about their graves like shadows

faded and trapped, while desperately seeking salvation

if only someone would offer them abetment

Yet I drove without stopping, preoccupied by thoughts

of hot coffee and numerous chores at home

ignoring the intuition that my dreams tonight

would be haunted by faded silk flowers in black iron gates

and souls that had longingly watched with baleful eyes as I passed

all knowing full well I had seen them