by Nadine Sellers

Created on: November 20, 2009

Normandy Fading

Happy toes sink into sand

mother yells a warning

feet stand at attention

smiles sink into fear.

A day at the beach

once more a lesson

in history misunderstood

father warns of bombs beneath.

A day in the village

parents at attention

grave in their manner

held by memories of others.

The words of war solid

upon their tongue repressed

upon their face expressed

loss etched in frowns

Ruins overrun with lilac

and valerian appease the dead.

Some rats play in basements

under the stairs to nowhere.

Happy feet want to run;

a child once free of care

till the ground held tightly

onto the past unknown.

A child walks quietly

in step with mother

in step with soldiers dreams

decaying below sands.

Below pale hands held

in reverent silence.

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