Veterans Day

“I sing of arms and men”—Virgil

Gallant children play chess on graves at night

Falling Sun, the yoking weight of pastimes

Dancing lovingly round mulberry trees

Moon resuscitated, with it my dreams

Iron bells heard tolling, calling us home

Procession of rhythmic boots’ marching death

Sea of eyes salute and review patriots

Funeral drum beating, onward we go

Homage halve-paid, whole-charged, flag limp halve-mast

Iron bells heard tolling, calling us home

Tender feet now, doomsday wheels of war pigs

Child full-grown the fleeting dreams of pawns spilt

Puppet-strings cut, sapped life flesh-wood, fire-fuel

Vein canals in heroes dried, played a vane game

Iron bells heard tolling, calling us home