War Haiku : Terrorism.

sky

Oklahoma City - 1995-04-19

by John J. Dunphy

in the debris
a teddy bear
its smile torn away
after the phone call
she drives to church
to snuff out a candle
opposite the site
young people stand holding
a child's framed photo
"my mom worked there"
teenager points to
the fourth floor
returning home
rescue worker watches
his children sleep
2am
victim's father reads the Book of Job
again
memorial services
box of tissues
passed up and down a pew
another body recovered
the next morning
another bouquet opposite the ruins
new widower
clutches a piece of rubble
knuckles white

(dedicated to the families of the victims)
- Frogpond XVIII:2

http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/ Oklahoma Memorial