| (The Death of Joshua Jefferson of Ozark, Alabama) | | | | nowhere to be found. Then Silas recognized the |
| 1907 | | | | figure on the wooden floor of the shanty, the door |
| "You is getting' old pa," said Silas, "me and Jordon we | | | | was opened, it was his pa. |
| can take more work, you is over a hundred...!" | | | | He, Silas accepted his death, with awkwardness and |
| "I done kept up this place 90-years alone; I can still | | | | stubbornness, not to believing he was really dead, |
| do it, I sees you kids still cant keep up with your ole | | | | but dead non the less because folks said so, and |
| pa!" | | | | there was a funeral that proved it, and Jordon who |
| Josh had to refocus, his eyes bleared, he spit out | | | | was more practical on the matter, believed it to be |
| some tobacco, "You'all git to my age, God knows | | | | so. |
| you ain't goin' to be able to work a days work, us old | | | | He buried his face in his hands at the funeral, his |
| timers we got the stuff, wes born with it, like on | | | | thighs weakened; he almost fell on top of the coffin, |
| that ship that brought me to this here country, it | | | | as it was lowered into the ground. It was October 7, |
| killed so many of the folk I lost count after I used | | | | 1907, he, Old Josh, liked fall, he liked the autumn |
| my fingers and toes, yet I survived." | | | | leaves, the colors in them, and when they were |
| Josh continued to scold Silas and Jordon for making | | | | gathered into a bundle, and burnt, he liked the smell, |
| him think he couldn't do any work, where in essence | | | | so it was a good time for him to die, and Silas he |
| they simply were trying to tell him, if he continued to | | | | wrote a poem for Josh: |
| think he was young as he used to be, it might be his | | | | At The funeral |
| death, but who knows, on the other hand, he never | | | | I hear the harps of God, |
| thought he could die, and here he was at a | | | | I Hear the voice of Jesus |
| hundred-and-four years old. | | | | Ringing, ringing, ringing |
| "Oh," said Silas, "now ain't you the big shot and we | | | | Singing, singing, singing |
| ain't kids paw, we is in our 80s." | | | | Come, brother Joshua |
| Josh looked hard into his eyes, into the eyes of Silas, | | | | Come see you' mother |
| "I guess you is right son, you look older than me, | | | | Angels' with hands held out |
| maybe you is my pa!" and they both started laughing. | | | | And pa he sees the throne, |
| Sometime when you thought Josh was ready to eat | | | | And the children playing the harp |
| you up, it was when he came down to earth, and | | | | Ole pa he was a talkin' man |
| was funny and practical. | | | | Always worried 'bout us boys |
| Everything was still when Silas and Jordon returned | | | | Ole pa he was a drinkin' man |
| back from the fields, a stillness discernible, they had | | | | But he paid no one no harm |
| been mending fences, still spry and still limber and still | | | | He love to fight Lord, I knows |
| with vitality, both these aging old men, were more | | | | But he a quite man anyhow |
| like Josh, than they thought, they never considered | | | | He fuss 'bout nothin' all day long |
| themselves old, until today, until Silas actually said to | | | | He like a donkey, but sly as a fox |
| Josh, "...we is in our 80s." it made him think. | | | | Yessum, ole pa was a talkin' man |
| As they dismounted the wagon, un-harnessed the | | | | Who like to go to the creek afishin' |
| horses, they sensed a motionless, windless | | | | Chase Molly Benton around... |
| atmosphere, not one animal sound, no: birds, cats, | | | | But he meant her no harm anyhow |
| dogs, or chickens making any sounds whatsoever, | | | | So I hope you done hear me Lord |
| Silas and Jordon kind of was spooked, looked about. | | | | Cuz pa Joshua, he be knocking |
| A dark long shadow moved across their path, the | | | | Oh yes, knocking at your door |
| world they once knew, was coming to an end, | | | | Here me Lord! Hear me! Amen! |
| change was about to take place, Josh's voice was | | | | |