AT THE WALL...
(1999)

I sat by the statue
of three Brothers

... gazed at the panels
descending into the Dark Valley

listened
to voices of children
and tour guides
explaining the war......

... parents telling children
the same
nothing
as everyone who was never
there.

I saw my hand beside a name
touching itself
in memory

Saw children's faces
...... and cameras
pointing at places
beside names that had died in that war
so long
ago

I saw a Brother
placing a small flag
and a pack of cigarettes
beneath a panel
of names

I wanted to comfort him
yet I could not

I saw his face

... saw

...... that he

was me.

©Copyright November 20, 2003 by Lou J. Klaiber