the gravedigger

The gravedigger 


The gravedigger said:

“what are you doing in here?”

“I am not lost, man

“I have come to shop

for a very nude woman.

for one not so plump.”

“you should not be here

wagging your smart tongue about.

Is that beer you have?”

“as numb as my foot

I swear it isn’t beer here.

Would you like a swig?”

“since it isn’t beer

and I have my shovel here,

work requires water.

“Let’s see that canteen.”

“a swig, it’s for the ladies.

You might be surprised.”

“many a maiden

I have fairwelled here myself

But wouldn’t say met.”

“you must stay later.

Do not go home gravedigger,

Call off your quitting.

“wait for the display

when your dirt becomes fashion.

I will introduce.”

“your beer is hot, smooth.

what do I want of your ghosts?

I have goats back home.”

“are you afraid then

or do your goats dance and drink?

Stay awhile, make friends.”

“my goats have habits.

I am a man of habits.

You have strange pastimes.

“I admit, I fear

the dark was never for me.

the dead are easy.

“I have no courage.

your beer does not change a thing.

the nighttime is strange.”

“you dig holes by day

and leave before the party.

you are the strange one.

“but as you wish it

only do not report me.

we have talked well here.

“you see I mean well

your clients and I get on

we clean up our mess.”

“the crows get nothing,”

laughed the gravedigger, drinking.

I never saw you.

“do you speak god’s truth?

These, uh, birds come out and dance?

You and skeletons?”

“listen, stay or go.

And allow me have some drink.

You drank all of it?

“lousy gravedigger,

you leave nothing for the dead,

none for the living!

“go to your habit.

go back to your goats and locks.

it’s getting dusk now.

“did you notice that?

You were drinking, the sun set.

My friends will be out.”

“help me stand up now.

I don’t want to be here then.

Hurry! Before dark!”

“but you drank our rye.

you must indulge your presence.

my friends are no ghouls.”

“My goats will miss me.

We are all inside by now.

This is not correct.”

“Darkness descends now.

You might deign to hide your shovel.

They can be moody.”

“please, please get me out.

I’ll do anything you wish.

Get me out of here.

“no! you are like them!

God, what have you done to me?

They were all sleeping.”

“what are you fearing?

The blackness? Not the spirits?

You do a fair job.”

“if you understand,

your friends gave me what I have,

more goats than I should.”

“I see your habit.

I understand your night fears.

My dames don’t wear goats.”

“ha! They need nothing!

“only the dirt I gave them!

I needed those things!”

“you are forgetting

the one thing a lady wants.

dancing shoesand eyes!”

“i am nothing here.

your friends can have everything.

my goats, let me go.”

“a goat for honor!

A goat in place of respect!

A goat to dance with!

“as for you, my man,

the same fat unbeliever.

Tonight you shall see

what is like to smile at yourself.”