Through the Gate of War

life in
your new world
too young to
grasp the truth
of old revolution
failed by the future

beautiful girls
black and white photo
Hopi reservation
dusty dreams
and western wilderness
I think 1942
prosperity
and reason
before the
yellow war
specters splintered
hope into denial
while soldiers
leapt for cover
slept together
tied like tethers
in the mud and blood
of dead brothers
in the normandy tide

big dreams
but no cracks
in the flag
they drape upon
your grave.
Stacked on top
like static
talk on politic
can I do anything
but shake my head
at the bottomless
senseless death?