Waterfall Road

On Waterfall Road was an old barn and stable

Where the school bus dropped us off each day

The road was straight and to our house a mile

Couldn’t wait to get home to play

Near the barn was a river with a waterfall

It’s where I kissed my first girlfriend

Sometimes at night you can hear the children call

Who did not make it to the end

You can find loved ones sobbing and searching for their kids

Not all in the river did die

Some in the nearby lake, the road and in their beds

To catch a glimpse as they go by

That barn had called to me so many, many times

Inviting me in to play

Lofty stories and mysteries are inside

Made it hard to stay away

You know about the cat and curiosity

I’m no cat, just a ten year old boy

Into the dark barn I’ve always wanted to see

Would it bring me sorrow or joy

The barn dared one rainy day to venture inside

I grabbed my sisters hand and ran

We found a way in the barn, from the rain would hide

The loft was great, up the stairs began

On the wooden floor a leak made the loft weak

A few steps in, my sister fell

Breaking through to the ground with a piercing shriek

My heart sank to the pit of Hell

My mother didn’t blame me, though my father did

Redemption is all that I sought

Wanting to heal from when I was that kid

I grew up and that barn I bought

As I stood in the barn, I could see her standing there

Looking at that loft in awe

I fixed the wooden floor, gave the roof a repair

So that the water would not fall

Standing all alone with sadness upon her face

I put her cold, soft hand in mine

I knew I needed to lead her to that place

To be with others of her kind

We walked through the fog, through the dewy tall grass

As she gripped my hand so tightly

We reached the sanctuary of the dead a last

A place my sister might be free

In the afterlife, guardians of the young

Tried to rule the children once more

All they did was damper and ruin their fun

The sanctuary was a bore

The children gathered behind the waterfall

To discuss what they must do

As my sister stood up in front of them all

“I know a place where we can move”

On a cold, foggy night, just before the dawn

The young ghostlings tip-toed away

My little sister lead them to my big barn

Where they all could stay and play

The old souls at once began to inquire

Where their little ones had gone

Through town they moved like a funeral pyre

Until they reached my big, red barn

There are still some rules in the afterworld

Like no touching and no kissing

And one that would help every dead boy and girl

It has to do with permission

The owner of privately owned real estate

Must say its okay to enter

The dead only listen to those in their state

I had something to consider

The little ghostlings coaxed me into the stable

“Please keep the old spirits away!”

“Do this sir, if you are willing and able!”

“So we may continue to play”

I entered the barn and climbed up to the loft

I stood there holding my head

I took a deep breath and suddenly jumped off

Before the children I laid dead

I awoke to small eyes that were staring at me

I was surprised to have no fear

I opened the door and old souls I did see

I shouted, “you’re not welcome here!”

You’ll find the ghostlings dancing and singing a song

Their afterlives to me they owed

I stand in the loft and watch them all night long

As they play on Waterfall Road