A Policeman’s Ghost
It happened late on night long ago
Along that winding mountain road so desolate and steep
The night was dark and the rain, downward it poured
The rivers rising as into the ground it seeped
The wind whipped the trees back and forth as it howled
Branches and even trees lying in roads everywhere
Power lines were being taken down in this storm
There were troubles to be found here and there
In his cruiser he road quietly along on this night
His rain slicker was right there by his side if he needed it
He reported all the problems that he found
And assisted people that asked as he drove by
He was a special policeman, loved by all around
He was then dispatched to check this mountain road
Knowing that many motorist had been stranded there for a night
He went and driving slowly he watched along the roadside
For any vehicle going off the road and out of sight
He stopped and removed a few branches that he found
To make the road safe for people to drive safely along
The rain was fiercely whipped by the wind as it pelted him
But undaunted he moved along remaining strong
What was that he had spotted up ahead as he drove
Was it lights of a vehicle or a reflection of his own
Slowly he drove along this road so quiet and wet
As he came closer he saw the shape of a car by the road
As he drew up close to where it was then sitting
The hazard flashers blinking now through the rain showed
He pulled his car in behind and approached the vehicle
Inside sat a young lady soaking wet and so scared
He gently tapped on the window to get her attention
Not wanting to startle her, just let her know he was there
She looked at him and he saw a relaxing smile begin to grow
She knew now that she would finally get the help she did need
By this man who was pledged to serve all of the public
This policeman she saw, as were the rest, a special breed
She rolled down the window as he asked what was the matter
And she told him of her tire that had suddenly gone flat
He asked if she had a spare in her trunk that he could use
If so, he would surely be able, for her, to fix that
She nodded and gave him the keys he would need to open it
He took out everything he needed and got to work right away
Knowing that this lady was needing to get somewhere important
And soon he would have her going along on her way
Finally the tire was changed and all was complete
He was soaked from the driving rain as he worked
But these incidents gave him the most pleasure
And none of his duties or pledges would he shirk
She thanked him for his help and drove off that night
As he turned to walk back to his car and go on patrol
When behind him he heard the loud sound of a roaring engine
And a vehicle that sounded as if it was out of control
He turned as it crested the hill and the lights hit him
He knew for sure he would not be able to get out of the way
He dove for the side of the road but the truck squarely hit him
Killing him instantly in that accident on that very day
The truck finally stopped and the driver got out to see
And he saw him laying there his body mangled beyond repair
He radioed from the policeman’s cruiser for help
And he asked for someone to please hurry and come there
Now as the years have passed many motorist have been stranded
Not knowing how to get help in their cars they would wait
Then they would see this policeman approaching them
There to help them along on their travels on this very date
He would offer them a ride back to town to get help
But would always stop before he entered the town
He would tell the people where to go and who to see for help
And if these people had only this story known
He would then turn around and head back up that winding road
When the motorist would turn around and look he was suddenly gone
They told the story to the people in town of the policeman that helped them
And how he had dropped them off and then suddenly was gone
The towns people would them tell them the story of what happened
And how the life of that town’s special cop had ended that night
And how many drivers had been brought down to the town safely
So that they would not ever have to face that same plight
Each year a cross would be stood at that spot in remembrance
Of the policeman who died while looking after that road
With pride the towns people would share this story with tourists
As proudly the caring and bravery of this young man was proudly told
© Tall Mountain Dreamer April 24, 2001
