Sidewalk in a Mining Camp

sidewalk in a mining camp

the boom has long gone bust

head wheels now stand silent

how they gather rust

fall has drawn to winter

rain and fog survive

empty lots and empty bins

still we are alive

sidewalk in a mining camp

changes like the season

stand there month and moment

shake your head and reason

what has been production

to depth or great divide

the point was once to prosper

grandeur to decide

a limit to the landings

random without fuss

left is only a fog

no limit to the dust

long has gone the shadow

from the summer leaves

reason now distorted

levels by degrees

standing on the sidewalk

an empty one at that

reminder of the old days

money in the camp

the city was a magnet

roulette like a rush

fog binds the open

ushers to a hush

Anonymous

The Graveyard Rabbit

The Graveyard Rabbit 

by

Frank Lebby Stanton

In the white moonlight, where the willow waves,  

He halfway gallops among the graves—  

A tiny ghost in the gloom and gleam,  

Content to dwell where the dead men dream,  

But wary still!         

For they plot him ill;  

For the graveyard rabbit hath a charm  

(May God defend us!) to shield from harm.  

Over the shimmering slabs he goes—  

Every grave in the dark he knows;         

But his nest is hidden from human eye  

Where headstones broken on old graves lie.  

Wary still!  

For they plot him ill;  

For the graveyard rabbit, though sceptics scoff,          

Charmeth the witch and the wizard off!  

The black man creeps, when the night is dim,  

Fearful, still, on the track of him;  

Or fleetly follows the way he runs,  

For he heals the hurts of the conjured ones.          

Wary still!  

For they plot him ill;  

The soul’s bewitched that would find release,—  

To the graveyard rabbit go for peace!  

He holds their secret—he brings a boon          

Where winds moan wild in the dark o’ the moon;  

And gold shall glitter and love smile sweet  

To whoever shall sever his furry feet!  

Wary still!  

For they plot him ill;         

For the graveyard rabbit hath a charm  

(May God defend us!) to shield from harm.

To visit The Graveyard Rabbit blog,

click here!

I Meant To Do My Work.....

I Meant To Do My Work Today

by Richard LeGallienne

I meant to do my work today,
But a brown bird sang in the apple tree,
And a butterfly flitted across the field,
And all the leaves were calling me.
And the wind went sighing over the land,
Tossing the grasses to and fro,
And a rainbow held out its shining hand,
So what could I do but laugh and go?


HAPPY EARTH DAY!!