Veteran's Dance, 1995

-- after Oklahoma City

byDenise Sweet
During its round
I wanted to think of you
then, when each step
meant something
and you would
be out of
the mirrored building
and in front
of me
dancing too

instead I danced alone
under the stars
and the wild sadness
of Oklahoma City
spoors of light
burnish the newborn
darkness
there is a blank moon
tonight

and no one to sing to.
This is the worst war
we've ever seen:
surrounded and unarmed
shadows unravelling
everywhere.


© 1997 Denise Sweet
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