THE GRAVEYARD OF POTATOES

Through my childhood crystal clear
Comes images of things I'd hear
Of myths and legends far and near
But one alone brought so much cheer
     All others seemed comatose
With in my memories wide and deep
There sits a certain compost heap
That makes my mind and heart to leap
     The Graveyard of Potatoes

And so within my sheltered youth
I caught a glimpse of hidden truth
Thus called my destiny forsooth
Though others may think it uncouth
     To follow where my fate goes
To others it may seem a dream
But I have seen the truth to gleam
And ride a bright silver moonbeam
     To the Graveyard of Potatoes

Thus my path was clearly plain
A walking down the garden lane
Arguably slightly insane
For though my plan involved some pain
     `Twas necessary I s`pose
No time to contemplate my deed
I found a tater, made it bleed
I knew its dying trail would lead
     to the Graveyard of Potatoes

In rising joy I walked behind
This potato won't mind
His life be forfeit for this find
To benefit all human kind
     His sacrifice held purpose
I walked along ecstatically
Until the trail ceased suddenly
And a guardian stood between me
     And the Graveyard of Potatoes

A grand potato ten feet high
Towering there with every eye
A-fixed upon me where I cry
For fear that I would surely die
     Beneath one of his big toes
But he spoke forth his great missives
And called doubtful my objectives
For one arrives and lives
     At the Graveyard of Potatoes

Then a beam shot from his eyes
Transforming me in shape and size
Despite all m mournful cries
I knew it good and only wise
     To atone the path that I chose
So now I serve a full life term
Amongst the compost I must squirm
A slimy little mealy worm
     In  the Graveyard of Potatoes

It must seem bad there from your view
For me though, do not be blue
I've lived my dream and seen it through
Though not how I imagined, true,
     But that's the way life goes
I payback my misled intent
Discovering I'm quite content
To see my final breath be spent
    In the Graveyard of Potatoes

~April 1997