To The Departed Poem by Julie Dant

The starkness of white upon the green
The paper is crisp. Crisp and clean
A rustle of wind- a flutter of pages
Words written down- never to be seen

by the departed- by the intended
Written fast and hard with tears that blended
together with the words- together with the thoughts
together with angst that was politically rendered

Before the year was through- an Asian demise
the half expected telegram had given rise
to broken hearts and broken lives-
Broken promises and all that implies

The sliding of fingertips over etched names
with the aim to lay to rest any or all blame
And all along that black granite wall
step after step, you’ll find the same

Loving mementos laid gently down to rest
for those who have been loved the best
White letters lay upon green grass
to confide, beg forgiveness and perhaps to confess.

to the departed- to the intended
Written slowly and haltingly with tears that blended
together with the words and together with a wish…..
God..if only one day sooner the war could have ended.