Through The Arches!

Through the arches leading to open fields

the elderly man walked

slowly with his small ageing little dog

cheerful on his daily stroll

happy in his own company with his pet

normally nobody else he met!

 

Quite as usual on the his established route

did not see the group of lads

watching him pass with too much interest

started to follow close behind

his dog sensed them near as he growled

at this the elderly man scowled!

 

At the same point let his dog off the lead

near to a clump of bushes

the group of six gathered behind them

circling a younger boy

peering down at him in conversation

he listened to their oration!

 

Into his small hand they put a knife

he had to stab the man

as if mesmerized gripped the handle

said nothing but nodded

the elderly man sat down on a bank

from a water bottle drank.

 

If really he wanted to be part of the gang

kill him they kept saying

coming up stealthily behind the old man

shaking with anticipation

brought the knife down striking with force

in the neck then felt remorse!

 

Falling back looked up at the lad in anguish

eyes locked a barking dog

brought him back to the reality of his actions

quickly withdrawing the knife

wiped off the blood in the grass automatically

unable to let go ran erratically!

 

Ignoring the shouts and cheers of the gang

who ran in the opposite direction

leaving the innocent victim dying his pet

guarding him whimpering

laying next to the loyal friend now silent

he was small but defiant!

 

The lad who should have been at school

reached his parents house

they were both out at work he had a key

heart pounding breathless

washed blood off his small hands thinking

watching it drain without blinking!

 

Then as he sat in the kitchen alone cried

at twelve why had he killed

the knife was on the table in front of him

his torment now had begun

a loud knock at the door made him cower

this was his defining hour!

 

 

The Foureyed Poet.

 

 

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