old man in an old boneyard
busy and bustling, brimming
strung out with memories
of those frivolous dead

the weight of years
lay in solemn state
atop his weary heart
heavy with pain and fear

characters strung in lines
stains of ancient tears
streamed across weathered cheeks
with flowers strewn below

memory-engraved stone
reads dearly beloved,
here lies
etc, etc.

you know what he said.
and live it all, wring it dry
before it’s gone, whispered
on turning away.

©2014, Aaron Brown