Summoning

which had failed to cover the mountains

in the field behind our homes.

In the dark, I made out beetles scurrying from each crevice.

As we looked up through the dusty, shattered window panes,

we noticed wires and lights about the mountain base.

Had the insects followed them down?

This was when I noticed her blot of hair.

A small patch nestled into the dirt.

An eerie reverie of guile and pause wrapped the ruins.

She rested quietly,

receiving our intrusion without complaint or judgment.

Yet, her eyes were peculiarly closed.

Then, a quick scratch and spark to help the candle show.

I knew her-

A vigorous one.

The tale in the playground was true!

Still, not one of us could think exactly why she would choose to leave us.

Death, yes, of course I understood:

an entity aroused with age and rot, decrepit forms;

But here was this furtive one stirring wonder, aloof and genteel,

who refused to answer any of our churlish whispers.