Normandy, 1999
I stood on turf green grasses
Covering your graves;
I felt the earth tremble and shake.
I lingered stoic beside the dove-white crosses
Marking your graves
as if in an eteranal salute.
I gazed upon the
funeral-white roses
that lined
the stark cold stone memorial.
I heard
The broken sobs
Of
your dads,
your moms,
your wives
your children
As they read THE telegraphs.
I occupied the bunkers
for a few moments–
smelled black battle smoke acidy
Mingling with red hot young blood spills.
I stared out over your black cliffs
To see
Rust-red chunks of warships
Half-submerged
in ocean’s waters.
I listened
To gentle waves
Lap unto the whiskey-colored sand beach
Leaving Champage sparkling bubbles
reflecting bright, and clear
under cold sun rays.
I listened to the soft kissing
Of the waves
Against the rust red chucks
Of warships–
Taking nothing–leaving nothing–
Perhaps ……….
The red rust
Holds behind it
Crimson stains
Never to be
Washed away.
I felt myself weeping.