Charon’s Ferry

(bait and tackle)

set up shop near River Styx,

at its nexus

south of Texas

selling river-crossing trips,

the only charge

to ride that barge

a coin between your lips

assuming death

has stopped your breath

when booking you on ship….

& once aboard

with demon horde

you’ll find there’s much to do,

since power boats

don’t cross the moat

between Abyss and you,

>at very least<

that Charon beast

expects you work the crew,

so bring a paddle

like other chattel

‘fore jumpin’ on canoe.

Then feel free

(the last you’ll be)

to look around the lake,

some residents

¡were presidents!

but there’s no Watergate

no Hoover dam

but Dick’s herb and

that’s mood Depressing shake

(Herb shovels sh*t

around the Pit

with pointless, taxing rakes)

There’s Bordens, too

and Gorgons, who

are not as stoned as last time

it’s best to peek

with glance oblique

since stoning is their pastime,

avoiding stares

(& whispered prayers)

should save you from that cast eye

a payoff huge

since Pan will use

your stones for breaking glass shrines…

But when you dock

across the Loch

make sure your hands aren’t idle

as Devil loves

his ownsome gloves

not yours—that sh*t’s just libel

assist offload

as if you’re Job

both actual, and Bible,

secure the gang–

way,try to hang–

way back in case of tidal

↓ ebb & flow ↑

of flames can throw

you face to face with idols.

(a closing tip)

(there’s no round trip)

(your destination’s final)

©Karen Robiscoe