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l-a-ricePoems
This time, only my second, We were nearly alone Descending gravely Into a reflection of names And selves. (I admit that sometimes I prefer to walk behind you In deference – this time, though, It was to watch your shoulders Heave forward, your neck tighten, As you sunk into that space Only you know.) We stopped twice: First to let the loudly curious girl Behind us pass, our careful gaits No match for her rapid conquering War memorial check-off pace, Then, as we rose back into The green morning, you brushed Your right hand as a farewell Across the polished ebony And whispered. Nearby, an ancient couple Posed with the Three Servicemen, The two chattering in Vietnamese And grinning for each other, The trio of newly uniformed soldiers Staring off camera at some old atrocity. And I, offering with pointing fingers And waving hands and slow English To take one photo of all of them, Together, just barely released the shutter Before the sorrow and loss and unknowing Came into focus, and I returned to you, In first tears.
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Aug 18, 2010
Aug 18, 2010 at 3:50 PM UTC
At the Wall, Early Sunday
This time, only my second, We were nearly alone Descending gravely Into a reflection of names And selves. (I admit that sometimes I prefer to walk behind you In deference – this time, though, It was to watch your shoulders Heave forward, your neck tighten, As you sunk into that space Only you know.) We stopped twice: First to let the loudly curious girl Behind us pass, our careful gaits No match for her rapid conquering War memorial check-off pace, Then, as we rose back into The green morning, you brushed Your right hand as a farewell Across the polished ebony And whispered. Nearby, an ancient couple Posed with the Three Servicemen, The two chattering in Vietnamese And grinning for each other, The trio of newly uniformed soldiers Staring off camera at some old atrocity. And I, offering with pointing fingers And waving hands and slow English To take one photo of all of them, Together, just barely released the shutter Before the sorrow and loss and unknowing Came into focus, and I returned to you, In first tears.
August 2010
Written by
l-a-rice
American
Aug 18, 2010
Aug 18, 2010 at 3:50 PM UTC
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