The Earth Would Not Take Him
Astrikos Katoikos
They carried him past the chapel gate
Past the grazing field and the rusted stake
No widow cried, no bell was swung
Folks crossed themselves and held their tongues
They dug him deep by the termite mound
Where roots ran black through thirsty ground
Three days later the grave gave way
And the dirt threw every clod away
No saint above would hear his plea
No devil claimed his company
Even the dark stepped back in fear
Rejected by the Earth
Rejected by the flame
Rejected by the hands
That once recalled his name
The grave won't keep him
The night won't hide him
The road still bears his tread
Rejected by the Earth
And not yet dead
Old João swore on a stack of bibles
His mule broke loose beside the bridle
Old Maria barred her door with chains
When those footsteps crossed her lane
The well rope snapped without a sound
The hens refused to scratch the ground
And dogs that barked at every thief
Went silent down beside the creek
No prayer could turn his shadow back
No priest could force him from his track
Some sins outlive the grave
Rejected by the Earth
Rejected by the flame
Rejected by the hands
That once recalled his name
The grave won't keep him
The night won't hide him
The road still bears his tread
Rejected by the Earth
And not yet dead
The old folks used to say
Curse your mother
Strike your father
Mock the hungry
Steal what's not yours
The earth takes drunks
The earth takes thieves
The earth takes killers
But it would not take him
Rejected by the Earth
Rejected by the sky
Still walking down the cattle roads
While better men have died
The grave won't keep him
The night won't hide him
The years can't wear him thin
Rejected by the Earth
And wandering still
The insects stop
The pasture waits
A loose gate knocks against the post
Beyond the mound
Beyond the fence
Something walks
And every farmer knows
Not to call it
By its name