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.