This time it was still light out enough to get a good look. I was driving down the hill to get to the on-ramp of I-25 and glanced over at the little cemetery on the way past. The priest that takes care of the cemetery for the Catholic church had installed flood lights on the old archway. But, there it stood, silent with head pointed at the ground.
This time the passing cars weren't pulling over. This time there were no police cars or gawkers. This time it didn't have an audience.
Just a silent figure in a black hooded robe with it's head receding to the point that nothing could be seen except black, empty space. No wings or anything resembling them on its back. Just the reaper's gathering instrument leaning on it's shoulder.
I know that this specter isn't real in the scense of being the reaper looking for souls to gather; however, I still haven't figured out what it's trying to tell the city of Albuquerque by it's visits to this little cemetery. Hopefully it's just some individual with a sad story to share.
I didn't stop this time. I looked perhaps a moment too long for someone driving in an acceleration lane. But, this time I just felt sad that the world has come to this stage in history. Where even if it isn't the Grim Reaper, I kind of wish it were.
