Barking Dogs

Then the barking dog was near by

and the ghost was far away

now the barking is far away

and the spirits are close by

the earth wind carries all

from every corner

penetrates every nook and cranny

cleaning every crevice

wearing mountains down to plains

drying oceans into deserts

souls that howl in the barren trees

dried leaf spirits twist and turn

 in the corners of the buildings

wind spirits whisper to me plaintively

through the closed window

the empty classroom is filled only with cold memories

the names of forgotten students carved in wood

the hallways echo with doors slamming and distant footsteps

by Hugh M. Lewis