Lost Names


from the ABC set Poetry

An enemy makes life simple.
Drunk on heroes and legends,
uniforms and marching songs.
As if there were not enough
ordinary tragedies for them,
they marched off into history
looking for adventure
and tales for awed grandchildren.

All their names are lost now,
deep in the mud of the past
sinking far below the surface
as time smooths over all traces,
becomes indifferent once more.

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