The Sentinel

The Sentinel

There rises a tombstone, glistening like chalk,
just one among many – time's stepping stones.
An obsidian sentinel watches o'er the bones;
a dark shepherd of souls tending his flock.

Just one of many – time's stepping stones –
voices, now silent, with the passing of time.
Stories of love, hatred and crime
drift in the darkness as the wind moans.

An obsidian sentinel watches o'er the bones
returning to dust - yet he faithfully stays.
Lost memories, hidden, fall prey to his gaze
as he listens to each in their ghostly tones.

A dark shepherd of souls, tending his flock,
unrecognized by those passing by.
Yet soon they'll come under his watchful eye
as each moment's removed from their life's clock.



Inspiration: A raven sitting on the only large white tombstone in a very old but well kept graveyard.
Form: Lilibonelle - This form is made up of four quatrains. The lines of the first quatrain repeat as the beginning lines for the rest of the stanzas. You can use a specific rhyme pattern if you would like or make it free verse. Just for fun I chose abba.

Thank you for taking time to read my words. I would appreciate it if you took a moment and left a comment. Your reaction, impressions, criticisms, - yes, even praise - are all equally welcome.

Ken