For Sharon
One cannot prepare for slaughter.
Last month, a cognition test for your son:
Does a rock float in water?
Airlifted to a German hospital, then Walter
Reed in D.C. for three amputations.
(One cannot prepare for slaughter.)
We cling to updates posted by your daughter-
in-law, and still I find myself lost in that question,
Does a rock float in water?
Green to the troop, a stricken soldier
pivoted on an IED until your son tackled him.
One cannot prepare for slaughter,
and that boy had mere scratches, while you’re
praying for cloudless eye recognition.
Does a rock float in water?
they asked, as if No meant a healthy future.
Part of him remains in the air of Afghanistan.
One cannot prepare for slaughter.
Does a rock float in water?
SASCHA FEINSTEIN’s books include two collections of poetry: Misterioso, winner of the Hayden Carruth Award, and Ajanta’s Ledge. In 1996, he founded Brilliant Corners: A Journal of Jazz & Literature, which he still edits. www.SaschaFeinstein.com
Latest posts by Sascha Feinstein (see all)
- A Simple Question - March 2, 2020
