Resthome Road by Charles Edwards

Along rusty gravel roads of
west Tennessee river bottoms
Lie remnants of crypts
where death awaits

Spirits creep in hallways
preaching fire and brimstone
Saving lost souls from
the perils of Hades

Generations have passed through
these gentle walls of departure
Mortality stands tall, lying soft
over a heart of eternal light---

A lone voice bawls for comfort
still, not one really hears any anguish
Destiny has come bearing only
premonitions of despair

Southern crosses stand crippled
yet proud, among this bed of nails
All good things are remembered
bringing allegiance to their faith

Along rusty gravel roads of
west Tennessee river bottoms
Ascends a joyous calling,
'all sinners come home!'

Charles Edwards is a long-time Chicagoan/Californian who is widowed, retired, and has been writing poetry for several years. His first two publications appear in the 2019/Winter Issue, the 2020/Spring Issue of ‘October Hill Magazine,’ as well as ‘The Voices Project,’ ‘BlazeVOX,’ ‘The Blue Nib,’ ‘North Dakota Quarterly,’ and ‘Vagabond Books.’