Lonely Stones
Around me now the names stare out,
Granite intrusions cross-cut the clearing
Marking there, where the fallen lie
A site for which tears downward trickle
Here the lonely stones forever remain
Paths between the stones are worn
By those coming to read inscriptions
Who wallow in sorrow as they pace
Along where the dead no longer tread
And the lonely stones forever remain
Many come who fear to die and stop
To read the stones before they venture on
They all fail to hear the message:
"Death tomorrow will come calling"
The lonely stones are forever calling
Lost in mourning passerby ask not
Why it is the hemispheres connect
To complete life's circle
And pass on still not knowing why
While the lonely stones forever remain
How easy would it be for the stones
Advertising their verse of death's approach
To change and say 'Men, henceforth,
No longer shall come to death,
And join the ranks of lonely stones'
So simply would listeners be duped
By words so deftly voiced
That gay in spirit would they continue on
Laughter would replace the tears
But, still, would lonely stones forever remain