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