The Sandbox




I never felt entirely sure 
If it was safe to play 
And always hoped I wouldn't smell 
The stench of her decay 

She never changed her dirty dress 
Nor did she seem to grow 
And who she was or how she died 
I'm sure I'll never know 

If I heard softness in her voice 
I knew her to be kind 
And quickly learned her piercing scream 
Could terrorize my mind 

When she would say to follow her 
To find forever shade 
I'd hear whispers in her smile 
And knew to be afraid

Once I thought to be alone
While digging in the sand
Until my buried feet grew cold 
 And felt her clamy hand

But as I screamed and tried to run 
Her nails clawed at my skin 
And since that day, I have not played 
In any sand again