The sky was ominous, stormy and gray On the day they put Joe to rest. The service was said, And more tears were shed, Though his arms lay still ‘cross his chest. “Joe,” wept his mother, shaken softly by sobs, As the shovels first struck the dirt. Raindrops, so cold, Fell into the hold, And Joseph was swallowed by the earth. So umbrellas opened, one by one; Some held theirs to hide their eyes. With nothing more to say, Each went his one way, Offering a small, silent nod to the skies. But back in the green and the markers of stone, Stood a man sans coat, sans hat. The earth at his shoes, The browns at his blues, ‘Twas Robert Buck who stood hunch-backed. Well, hesitating a moment, he then turned his collar up And made his way back down the bend. Yet again, he paused, This time praying to the gods That his secret would stay buried with his friend. “But somehow, I feel this can’t be the end…” *** Joseph’s business had been stocks and bonds; Robert Buck had been his boss. He led a simple life; He kept no wife; And he worked at a modest cost. Now, Rob indeed was Joseph’s employer, But often, a drink they would share. They’d stay out all night If girls were in sight; “When they’re ours, we shall cease, I declare!” Well, poor old Joe, he only went along, For he didn’t like those girls, nor did they him. While Robert Buck, Oh, he had quite the luck, And soon took to a filly named Lynn. And that’s when the trouble would begin… *** Twelve a.m., the night after the funeral: Robert is asleep in his bed. The clock’s “tick-tick” Could hardly predict The impending “do,” “see” and “said.” A tickle on the cheek? Oh, nothing at all. He brushes it aside with his hand – But heaven! But hark! Something in the dark! On Joseph’s shrouded figure does it land. And the sight of Robert’s friend is quite grand… *** At first, dear Rob – he hardly took interest. But soon, he and Lynn became a pair. Her family had been great, And to their money and estate, Rob learned that Lynn was the heir. So in less than three weeks, he’d placed a diamond on her finger And in five, Lynn had taken his name. And in Daddy’s princely car, Mummy’s mansion wasn’t far, And neither was rapacious Robert’s aim. So simple a plan… that it almost was a game… *** Shaking, sobbing, Robert cringes beneath the sheets. “No! No – this all must be a lie!” But Joe reaches down And grabs Rob’s wrist around. “I suggest that you stifle your cry.” With a sudden jerk, Rob is pulled from his bed. He whimpers, “Why’ve you returned, dear Joe?” A bone-rattling grin From his ears to his chin: “I,” he replies, “do believe you know.” And his gaze is as cold and dead as snow… *** Such an easy plan, he’d explained to Joe, So wonderful, the secret could not be kept. He was to shoot his wife, Then claim that her life Was taken by a burglar while she slept. Well, Joseph gave a nod and swore that the plan Was safe ‘till the day that he died. “But Lynn – so pretty! Thus, it’s such a pity That her life be wasted,” Joe sighed. And he soon knew that she must be kept alive… *** Pulled to his feet, poor Robert cries, “Joseph, I haven’t the strength to fight!” But so suddenly there, He was hardly aware That they’d stepped into the cold, still night. “This dear, little city – and you, too, my friend – Are good, I believe, beneath the grime. In fact, you know, I miss both,” says Joe. “But my revenge will come in due time.” “‘Revenge’?” whispers Rob from behind… *** The gun was secure and the food in its place; Robert sat at the table’s head. “Is the ham okay? ‘Twas slaughtered just today.” “It’s fine, I suppose,” Lynn said. “And more wine?” he asked with a big, false smile. Oh, just a tug on the trigger right there! “I have more than I need.” Now! Do the deed! And with that, he rose from his chair. The sound of footsteps scrambling up the drive Didn’t even meet Robert’s ear. Its metallic touch, The adrenaline rush. “Robert, why do you act so queer?” “Nothing money won’t cure, my dear…” *** “Oh, so innocent you seemed; such a story you told. ‘He took his own life and hers as well’! For how could you know I’d put on such a show And attempt to rescue la belle? No power on Earth could foretell…” *** Her feelings of fear more urgent by the minute, Lynn arose and gasped. “A gun!” With a low, guttural sound His courage he’d found: “I’m sorry, my love, it must be done.” Through the window outside, Joseph saw the scene And frantically beat against the door. But Robert was set In a final tête-à-tête And he couldn’t waste a moment more. Oh, he had her cornered. He was breathing hard. Robert raised the gun and took aim – When Joe ran in! To save his dear Lynn! And two shots. The bullets found each of the twain. “Oh, heavens,” said Robert. Pause… “Awful shame.” *** “Declare it!” booms Joseph. “You no longer can hide From the horrible wrongs you have done! Lynn, loved I, Now in earth we lie; We were innocents, and it was you who won!” “Oh, it was I who killed Lynn – for the money! The house!” Robert falls to the ground, as if he were struck. But when he lifts his head: A policeman instead. “Arrest – for the murders of Joseph and Mrs. Robert Buck.” And he is bound and escorted to the truck… *** The sky was ominous, stormy and gray On the day Robert found his new home. A guard in the hall, A cot by the wall, And a washbasin of gleaming, silver chrome. Each night he kneels and says his prayers, The sounds of slumber all around. And he creeps into bed And cradles his head, Aching for his money and mansion across town. While Joe and Lynn, but six feet from the sun, Are finally together, as Joe had prayed. A view from the clouds Of the busy, little crowds And games all over being played. And one man who was greedy… and paid.
Reason for writing:
I wanted to write a good, old-fashioned, fairytale-ish sort of thing -- where the good guy wins in the end, and the bad guy gets his punishment. Inspired partially by Charles Dickens' <i>A Christmas Carol</i>.
Birth sign: Virgo
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