Once upon a time
psyche watched over the warrior dead
a centuries-old tribute to power and might
hack marks on mortuary stone
stumps on the vilage green
under the Jesus cross
and emperor sword
everything christened by the mid-day sun
everybody mourned in final salute
so the soul could freely brood
across time and space
Once again we have
the naming of parts
the demographic carve-up
of the nation's military dead
a political reckoning that
says our fallen sons and daughters
are largely Caucasian
many with children
coming from military towns
that pockmark the South and West
all God-fearing issue
serving in another just war.
The village green is silent.
The honor dead arrive at night
and are sent on their journey home
no photos allowed
no Commander-in-Chief presiding
no remorse for a war gone wrong
we give them ribbons on our cars
that fade with the sun and rain
like memories or the final knock
on a grieving mother's door.
Once upon a time
psyche watched over the warrior dead
a centuries-old tribute to power and might
hack marks on mortuary stone
stumps on the vilage green
under the Jesus cross
and emperor sword
everything christened by the mid-day sun
everybody mourned in final salute
so the soul could freely brood
across time and space
Once again we have
the naming of parts
the demographic carve-up
of the nation's military dead
a political reckoning that
says our fallen sons and daughters
are largely Caucasian
many with children
coming from military towns
that pockmark the South and West
all God-fearing issue
serving in another just war.
The village green is silent.
The honor dead arrive at night
and are sent on their journey home
no photos allowed
no Commander-in-Chief presiding
no remorse for a war gone wrong
we give them ribbons on our cars
that fade with the sun and rain
like memories or the final knock
on a grieving mother's door.