Old Man Black
Old Man Black
by Alicia Bates
Poor Old Man Black,
struggling to walk across
the dilapidated sidewalk.
His cane wobbles as he spins,
spins in slow motion,
almost falling.
As daisies emit good things to their
neighboring plants,
so does Old Man Black. But, he infects
those around him
with
sinister misery.
Old Man Black was a P.I. when
he was younger.
He could melt away into
the shadows; his eyes
capturing the worst parts of
people’s lives.
Secrets are what he held
inside his file folders,
inside his head. Pulling those files
whenever he wanted something.
Striking fear into those who knew what
he knew.
Ruthless Old Man Black,
struggling to walk across
the dilapidated sidewalk. Spinning so slowly,
he is noticing no one will help him.
They all know he will only bring them
sinister misery.


