Death on a Cold Winter Day
Death on a cold winter day
Swirling winds carry the news
A body lain on hardened ground
Plummeting temperatures
Nightfall earlier than the last
Sharp blasts cut to the bone
Snow accumulates in corners
The blanket of darkness covering
Yet silence permeates everything
Except for the cry of the owl
And the clatter of branches
Bared of leaves and brittle
They dance and shake knowingly
Powdery flakes cannot muffle
The wildness of a coming storm
Icicles hang like bared fangs
Patient, but tenuous at best
Hungering for consumption
And still the frozen body remains
Tattered clothing nondescript
Heavy shoes, hat and gloves
Not a victim of the weather
Trousers creased and clean
Jacket nearly perfect
Except for the red spots between
And the bullet holes of course
In the chest they number five
Obviously why no longer alive
This man without identification
Silently waiting and freezing
Killed without provocation
The body nothing more than a shell
Blood gone from red to brown
Nary a weapon to be found
Footprints few and far between
Leave no image of events
Murder in the frozen heights
Tomorrow’s headlines maybe
Investigations underway
No one sure on what they’ll say
Executed, but by whom
This unknown man the only clue
Snow continues to fall and blow
Passer Byes just a lonely few
Their eyes downcast
Hardly notice as they pass
The body lain on hardened ground
Death awaits without a sound…
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Very well written with startling phrasing. A mystery to be solved indeed. Well done, Ralph.
A great piece Ralph, with a poignant impact. Love the style, almost a staccato of sharp stabbing phrases which adds to the power of the piece. great work my friend.
Our society has turned so violent. How many homeless succumb to a violent death or from the elements. Sad but well written piece.
A real poetic who dunnit. Gave me the shivers just to think and the imagery of a spot of red on the snow.
Thanks to all for the feedback – Poetry Noir just might be the next big thing !