Ghouls (Poetry)

The next of kin have been informed —
a body has been found
the details haven’t been disclosed
the facts are far from sound
but it’s believed it could be him
although it’s far from sure
and there’s a rumour going round
there might be several more...

They’ve cordoned off the area —
there’s policeman everywhere
and journalists and loads of kids
who lounge around and stare
and someone’s selling sandwiches
there’s cameras by the score —
it’s likely to be on the news
the crowd swells even more.

It’s cold around the lakeside
and the divers have gone down
to search among the reedbeds
where the water’s thick and brown
and hiding things that no one
in their right mind wants to see
yet ghoulish necks stretch long and thin —
craned expectantly.

Now there’s a bundle on a stretcher —
a small lump inside a bag —
that needs someone to claim it
like lost luggage. Then a sad
lone figure stands above it
nods just once, begins to sway
stumbles blindly past those watchers
who, embarrassed, look away.