sacrament

When I first stood over the

grave of youth, uncertain

a crow perched himself

upon the crooked cross

motioned his beak as

if to give last rites and

sacrament

“Do you know, fool boy,

what to say to the ferryman?”

I crossed my chest, considered

his question, shook my head 

“Not coin, nor offering.

Not blood, nor bravery.

“It is but a word, yet still

a weapon, a danger.

“Utter this, fool boy,

and you will know.

“The garden. The valley.

The soil of creation.

“The man at the gate

fancies himself a saint.

“He will ask a question

scripted in iron, in stone.

“Do not let your eyes

waiver and say ‘No’.”

I thanked him and

went on my way

telling him that

I would rather burn

in the truth

than sing with the 

lies