today we go bury
my young brother Jerry
who never would listen
when warnings were given

about Old Whiteface

down an overgrown lane
roped off with a chain
is a path to the creek
where rumored to sleep

is the creature, Old Whiteface

one day after school
(I think, to seem cool)
Jerry danced down the path
and sang as he laughed

“Come on, Old Whiteface!”

not long after that
his parts all came back
a cracked skull by the bridge
drains spitting out ribs

and we knew: Old Whiteface

so the next time you doubt
why a sign says KEEP OUT
think twice about Jerry
and the bones that we buried

and especially, Old Whiteface