By John Lee, Syford Poetry Contest Winner
I took a stroll one crisp, cold day
Through the cemet’ry, an arm’s throw away.
Fall it was, the palette so bleak-
The air was cool, the wind was sleek.
I passed a grave, one or two.
Most were small, some large a few.
So proud and tall they stood afar,
And pleased at the view, my mind ajar.
What then ensued? A peculiar thought
From the depths not once ever sought.
A gem it was, unfamiliar and dark
from what I saw so clear and stark.
Sir Norman Starley read his name.
Long asleep in this marv’lous frame.
Lavish engravings and embellishments covered,
Stood prominent, higher than others and towered.
Who was this man of high esteem
To have been giv’n an affluent scene?
Just as the ancient catacombs
Where mighty pharaohs called their homes?
And in his shadow lay a stone
Scarcely seen, shy, alone.
His face was turned as if ashamed
To have been seated so misplaced.
Could he have not afforded more?
Lest he find a plot to store
His corpse before ascending high?
How did he live? How did he die?
A pathetic sight it was, I thought.
Ha! I scoffed, how could I not?
But then I gasped for ghosts they haunt,
And stiffened to think- this could taunt.
Then rushing forth, these stories old.
Many times had I been told
Of wretched faces lingering
In places of such wandering.
I feared his spirit would have appeared
Provoked from all that I had jeered.
I trembled at the thought so pale
And felt the ambiance so stale.
I stood erect for long a time
When such terror struck through my spine!
I turned my gaze to conclude this stroll
And behold such horror! My heart, a hole!
A cry of terror like a flood
Carried far, it curdled blood!
A wretched figure standing there!
The skin bleached pale with upright hair!
…
Perhaps, the ending of this tale-
Clear, as I “escaped” to tell-
Will teach a lesson, oh so dear
To judge a dead man with great fear!
…
‘Twas just a neighbor on a walk.
She really didn’t mean to stalk.
No words exchanged, what could I say?
Excused myself and hurried away.
John Lee – Student at AU, Major in Biology
My name is John Lee. I was born in Nairobi and grew up in a little town called Voi in the Taita-Taveta plains of Kenya. I transferred from a university in Massachusetts to Anderson University and am currently majoring in biology as a sophomore. I work in the English Department as a student secretary and in International Student Services as the student coordinator, and I am an active member of AASA (Asian American Student Association). In my free time, I enjoy reading scientific journals, practicing the cello, riding my bike, and spending time with my friends.
SLATES: AU'S LITERARY ARTS MAGAZINE 