Now the word “ash” is ash,
the word “rubble” rubble:

soldier, occupier,
you can murder a mother, a son,

but you cannot murder memory,
cannot murder love.

You — who will cherish you
beyond death, as a child’s body

is searched for and searched for
forever, even when it cannot be found, beneath the rubble?

Soldier, stranger,
what do you know of what I know?

“Cherish”, “care” —
from carus. For cost.

 

*

From Magma 93

 

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