Dead Souls

I sat down by the River Styx

grappled with pain

of stinging blackness

       Dead souls across the river

ride of life and death

elevator of existence

cascading to bottomless pit

       Dead souls across the river

ferryman looks straight ahead

sensing endless journey

from one world to next

       Dead souls across the river

coffins split wide open

tormented souls flailing

a solo glacial passage

       Dead souls across the river

hitchhikers step to onyx side

tasting speed in which they sail

cold breeze in knotted sky

       Dead souls across the river

birds of prey spear entrails

frozen pallor of death

seething water of man’s curse.

       Dead souls across the river

warning cries of timid ancestors

proclaim icy slinging of mud

pale white horse of death

       Dead souls across the river