Running down tracks,
ties blurring with
bushes rising on either side. Where is it, where is it. It will suprise you I told them. Never failing,
the old barn suddenly slid into view, the
blackberry drapings clawing over it greedily. How a large barn
nimbly hides and then pounces out always unnerves me, once there it is
unimaginable that it could be missed. Climbing shakey
planks leaned to get up the loading dock through
thorns. Spreading blankets, clearing aside scrap wood, dusty, unloading treats from the
picnic basket. Play before
twilight approaches, creaky stairs,
holes in the roof fill with birds escaping, startled away.
Darkness always falls sharp-quick. Matches found, dim candles encircle blankets, eating laughing, passing handfuls,
Gamesa animal crackers from
Mexico. Sticking into
melted wax, animal cracker herds
grazing. Anthony arrives last minute, startling us, popping from darkness with a
crackle.
Weeks later Nate phones, tells me of
adventure out down the tracks. Finding a barn, looking around as
it got dark.
Spooked he took off and rode home quickly, finding traces from a
seance, candles with small animals
plastered around them. Falling off my chair onto the floor laughing,
I reveal the truth.