The Bridge

On a dark summer night Mama woke me from sleep “Quickly my son, you must run.” “Flee the hunters from ‘cross the sea,” “Fly my sparrow, fly free.” “Do not look back,” “Run ‘till the light cuts the black.” Out the door she pushed me. And I ran, across the meadow, Toward the old wooden bridge. There I looked back. Mama told me not to, Now I know why. Children were screaming, Men were fighting. Naught but shadows in the firelight, And one by one, they fell, Down into the Land of Shadows I stood trembling in fear. Frozen to that bridge, Suddenly, mama was beside me Panting, dark red covering her arm Together, we turned our backs, On all that we knew and loved From the dark claws of death And ran toward a chance to live.