Lou J. Klaiber

SMALL BEINGS

Awarded: December 26, 2004Somewhere
in the long ago night

I saw those small beings
lying asleep
within the shroud
of stars above

as I lit another cigarette
and learned the silent lessons
of war.

The filth upon my body!

The fuckin’ noise and screaming
and echoes that bounced
across my brain
forever
… and lived in me.

Within the nights of old age.

I see their faces!

Boy faces
So very
… young.

Their eyes
filled with innocence
and fear.

Watching them sleep
I learned to love them.

I should have died
… for them.