Playing God, Beneath the Overpass.

By TheProphetUntold

+--+

Homeless.

Still, sapped and sleepless, I sat
beneath a busy overpass.
Where a sad, little girl played,
dancing, with an old crow's face.

Her jagged teeth, licked a broken grin,
eyes stuck, like bloodshot peppermints,
counting passing cars like candy sins.

Head feathers, disheveled and frayed
bleached grey with worry and age.

+--+

Heartless.

Her skeletal hand stretches for a cat
crouched in the open, fresh cut grass.
Stalking along the thin highway berm,
where the oncoming traffic merged.

...static..

She screamed and clenched her bony fist,
and it sprung onto the teeming curve,
brakes stuttering, hissed, tires screeched and swerved.

As the cat and cars merge, a bloody mist.

...and the little crow, blows them a kiss.

+--+

Heedless.

Thirty souls sent, upon the cement,
bodies mangled, sprawled and bent,
no fire engine, or ambulance.
No sirens to sing a proper lament.

...

Skipping through the havoc, now still,
she pulls at my shirt and asks:
"Is it done now, is this your will? "
And takes off the old crow mask.

"Yes."

+--+

Headless.

She gives them brief mass,
holding my hand, as we walk...




Under the next overpass.

+--+

Unauthorized Copying Is Prohibited. Ask the author first.
Copyright 2011 TheProphetUntold
Published on Monday, January 11, 2021.     Filed under: "Poetry"
Log In or Join (free) to see the special features here.

Comments on "Playing God, Beneath the Overpass."

Log in to post comments.
  • Malice In Wonderland On Sunday, February 23, 2014, Malice In Wonderland (987)By person wrote:

    still one of my favorite works on the site. you're more awesome than you know, Matt. :) Scholar

  • Ravenblade On Wednesday, April 3, 2013, Ravenblade (313)By person wrote:

    Reminds me of childhood torments...this is what real poetry looks like. I loved that the rhyme scheme never felt forced, the narrative was never altered to feel scattered or inconsistent. This is the type of poetry I can only aspire to write someday. Well done, sir.

  • Star On Sunday, June 24, 2012, Star (920)By person wrote:

    wow amazing awesome work love it if i had room i'll fav it (:

  • A former member wrote: Reading this was extrodinary. I had to go back again and again.

  • A former member wrote: I come to worship this poem from time to time, ya know. Such nightmarish imagery. Homeless. Heartless. Heedless. Headless. This poem effin' scares me, sir. Most excellent, of course. This is the meaning of masterpiece. ***Lights incense for the Prophet***

  • Malice In Wonderland On Thursday, January 20, 2011, Malice In Wonderland (987)By person wrote:

    I've been over this and over this and realy haven't quite caught my breath yet... suffice it to say, reading this was a privelige, I couldn't tear my eyes away... this is beyond my vocabulary... Scholar

  • A former member wrote: maddeningly beautiful... you words have always entranced me... they're so pure and speak through such ancient eyes, from such a knowing soul. i think you must have been a gargoyle once. the imagery in this is breathtaking. you've truly created something palpable, such enthralling horror... i especially love "bloodshot peppermints". well done. i thoroughly enjoyed this. Scholar

  • A former member wrote: the first line is my favourite there is something so beautiful abut the concept of he keeps stars :) Scholar

  • Anth On Tuesday, January 11, 2011, Anth (1133)By person wrote:

    congratulations on writing such an accomplished work, truly impressive

  • carlosjackal On Sunday, January 9, 2011, carlosjackal (3015)By person wrote:

    What really gives this poem such powerful resonance is that the accident wasn't caused on purpose by a boy but a little girl...Double tragedy multiplied...Brilliant, brilliant piece. *tips hat to the Prophet*

  • DarkDruidess On Saturday, January 8, 2011, DarkDruidess (326)By person wrote:

    incredible images....loved the journey. *bows*

  • A former member wrote: love the tale... that first stanza alliterates with inspired tongue.... the description of what becomes a mask is quite entrancing... and the motive seems to be well revealed. I like the way the mask functions on a second level.... the mask of God..... revealing it for what it is.... all of the "H"s..... but, I would like something that is left undone, unsaid, unknown..... some bit of mystery to remain for the reader, perhaps.... that suggests more of the dirt beneath those Godly fingers... maybe. Excellent read, top shelf, as you'd say. *bows before Untold words*

  • A former member wrote: ....this moved me in the most solemn severe and shattering way; a parable, painful and pulling....the resonance of our own souls seems inaudible and yet deafening.....how? how do we even bare to move through this world without conscience.......move in this world without heeding our own? you taught me in this; a lesson i used to know.. .. . .thank you. bless you. none of this may have been your intent, but......thank you ever so.

  • A former member wrote: and im not even gonna comment on the style or voice or self contained assonance [which all is gorgeous and well developed and written; superbly] blah blah...... because it all becomes irrelevant in light of the emotion.......the absolute moving beauty and breaking. i am stunned.

Contribution Level

Poets Bookmarking This Work
TheProphetUntold's Favorite Works
Share/Save This Post



Join DarkPoetry Join to get a profile like this for yourself. It's quick and free.

How to Criticize Without Causing Offense
© 1998-2024 DarkPoetry LLC
Donate
[Join (free)]    [More Poetry]    [Get Help]    [Our Poets]    [Read Poems]    [Terms & Privacy]