There i stood…

By Zachary Furr

 

I am a groundskeeper for the dead.

Those that have met their timely deaths.

Those that have lived their time.

For good,

For evil,

They have died,

And I tend their resting place.

 

I tend the the flowers,

So that the garden smells good,

to those that come to mourn,

I tend the grass,

So that the grass can feel good to sore feet,

I keep the paths clear of rocks and pebbles,

So that the way is made clear to visitors.

I tend the garden to clear away weeds and thorns,

So that death does not linger here too long.

 

I was there when a small crowd brought the banished teacher,

I was there when they place him in the tomb,

I was there when the crowd left in tears,

I was there when the soldiers placed a stone in front of the door,

A stone that took five men to move,

I was there and there I stood.

 

I don’t know why I stayed there,

But it was as if I was mourning with the garden,

It was the guards in front of the blocked tomb,

That they stood there two days and nights,

They remained on guard,

Staying vigilant.

They paid me no mind as I continued my work.

 

Then on the dawn of the Sabbath,

An earthquake shook me from my slumber in the garden,

I felt the grass and flowers and rocks,

All begin to sing and stand up,

There in my work I saw the guards,

Run away from the entrance.

I went to the tomb that they had been guarding.

 

And there the stone was moved,

And there were two women talking to one,

That dressed similarly to myself,

I stayed far enough back,

So that I could watch,

But not interrupt.

And I stood there.

 

The women left in a hurry.

And I stood there as my double,

Came up to me,

But I was not me,

The sun seemed to shine through him,

And the garden was at peace around him,

And at his feet,

There I knelt.