Memorial Day

All the family, except one
gathered in the back yard
in a put-together tent
providing shade but not
stopping the flys or the
cigarette smoke breeze
blowing accross the years
seeing all these freckled
sisters, more serious than
they should be givien up
on forging a newness in their
30s, 40s, and 50s, just the
same as if they were all children.

I, an outsider, newcomer
and first-timer soaking in
the show, little ones falling,
crying, and laughing, too much
food, and Bachi Ball, Oldest
sister, with no children of
her own, spending all her time
with neices and nephews giving
their parents time to worry
about the emphasima smoking
refusal to see a doctor, teen
boys fleeing the scene after
their duty is done, leaving a
silence of paper cups, potato
chip crumbs and mustard
in memory of fallen soldiers