Dark in the Park

Lynx-like tufts of hair festooned his ears
His cheeks were covered with carpet tacks
He unselfconsciously wore his years
As green turtles wear shells on their backs

His teeth were brown and silver and gold
It seemed some spiders had spun his hair
And he never came in from the cold
But he brought it with him everywhere

And who he was I will never know
But then nobody else will either
He repelled but fascinated so
Was here nor there yet both and neither

When he looked in my eyes I could see
That he was blind but had left behind
Back there somewhere all complacency
He was completely out of his mind

How I have tried and failed to forget
His face as he emerged from the dark
That night so long ago in the park
Maybe someday I can but not yet

+Steven Curtis Lance



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