Factory Town Myth

Photo by Rachel B. Baxter.

There was a myth about a man who hanged himself
From a tree in his front yard.

For a long while, no one noticed,
Until everyone began to notice —
And people saw,
And children saw,
And his own children saw.

They understood in a way that only the words
From their mouths would allow.

There was a myth about a man who hanged himself
From a tree in his front yard,
Whose life was as ordinary as an error,
Who believed his life was an error.

There was a myth about a man who hanged himself
From a tree in his front yard
Whose perceived sins outweighed even our human need
To immortalize the dead.

about me.