in the grief of

by heather - Taurus

you are in the air, in the grime
of this city, i hear your heart
pulse through the pavement and
beat through the wind.  you are in the gravel,
in the jeweled rubble of the streets.
i can see your footsteps
buried in the morning dew.

you are in the construction of this city - your hands
have built and torn and reborn again
all the living wood and steel and sadness. i can see your finger
prints
inside the garage,
alive with the tainted tangible smell
of oil, grease, work,
Persistence.

you are in the veins of this city.  in the suburban texture
of car and mill and coal and mine.  you are the sergeant, bleeding with patriotic
color.  you are the flag being folded
once,
twice,
eight times. handed over the the grieving wife,mother,child
grateful, blessed to have sacrificed to the
death. there is no honor greater.

you are in the cathedral
bells, the sweet tolling chimes
bidding farewell.  the Fathers incense,
bitter perfume,
disappearing into the mourning air.

what love you have given.
what love we have lost.

Reason for writing:

    for my jedek, my grandfather, who recently died after a 6 year battle w/ alzheimers..for my bubka, my gramma..who endured the fight with the most grace and courage and strength i've ever seen.    

Birth sign: Taurus
Date created: 2001-03-04 11:20:41
Last updated: 2021-03-03 14:43:43
Poem ID: 60751

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