Rainy Days and the Old Red Barn

I - Nowhere Riddles

Steady rain had been falling for two straight days

And the two men were very glad to, in the dimming light

Sitting in the middle of a weeded field

Find shelter in an old, alone, faded red barn.

Wet, tired, soaked, and hungry

Saying nothing to each other

But giving their new friend a nod of relief

Both found a dry spot, tumbled down, and quickly fell asleep.

Charley woke first

Allen woke later

Charlie chased thirst

Allen tasted ‘taters.

Sitting up shivering... awake, Charlie looked around

Tune in his head, seeing his friend still deeply sleeping

A most terrible thirst having woke him from his slumber

He got to his feet in the now, misty light of another raining day.

And the dream… wherever did that come from?

No where in memory banks could he find ready reference

Alone, being chased through a very, very hot, noon-time Sun

Needing water, any water, as it had been days since the last drink.

Charlie chased thirst

Allen woke later

Charlie’s health worst

Allen tasted ‘taters.

Humming, he stumbled, and looking ahead saw a small stream close by

Water… he picked up his pace

Except behind him…’It’ closed the distance

Stopping was his death, of that... there was no doubt.

Choose.. his mind screamed

His parched tongue swollen, unable to sound

Flight or ground, either way, he knew himself finished

At least one last taste of living water... falling.

Charlie’s health worst

Allen woke later

Charlie died first

Allen tasted ‘taters.

Allen woke, sleepy still, though warmed

Looking over, he saw his friend lying, still, so quiet

Very hungry, getting up in the now, misty light of another raining day

He decided to look around, anything for he and his friend to eat.

The old barn was really musty, and had an age to it that said tired, finished

But when one’s very hungry, reasons and reality can stay far afield

And they had not eaten anything for what… 6 days

Except for some old potatoes found in the box, by the barn’s door.

Charlie’s died first

Allen woke later

While Charlie’s health worst

Allen tastes ‘taters.

Ah, that strange song inside again, the thought of potatoes

Allen scrambled back to the box

Accidentally knocking it over in his eagerness, for more

And along with the few remaining spuds, out from below spilled mushrooms.

Mushrooms, shriveled, moldy and dark

No light of any day would ever brighten them up

As Allen felt a sudden paralysis begin in his feet

Wise, knowing where his quiet friend really was, and where he was soon to join.

Charley chased thirst

Allen chased ‘taters

Charlie died first

Allen followed later.

As the two policemen looked up outside the door

Of the old Red Barn, at the ending rain

Where they found the two nibbled bodies in storage stalls

Sometime later, seeing reason plain.

‘Has some thing to do with the air in this old place’

The other swore, ‘And with this rain that ain’t quite sane’

‘We keep throwing out all we see’, the inspector said

‘Where the new ones come from… can’t explain’.

As the ancient Raven did fly away...

With something dark in its moldy beak

Waiting for the next song and sowing

And the next rainy days... for fate to speak.