Pantoum - April 14th, 2008

“Don’t forget your jacket!”
It was a simple friendly gesture.
Sitting out on the concrete steps, I wait.
A bright smile was on his face as he took a seat beside me.

It was a simple friendly gesture.
A gift he had, for my mother.
A bright smile was on his face as he took a seat beside me.
Black.

A gift he had, for my mother.
Screams of horror and terror filled the air.
Black.
“Where is Sean? Where is he? What’s going on?”

Screams of horror and terror filled the air.
His picture was displayed in front of the black clad men with badges.
“Where is Sean? Where is he? What’s going on?”
This was the most sympathetic look I’ve ever seen.

His picture was displayed in front of the black clad men with badges.
“Check the boxes.”
This was the most sympathetic look I’ve ever seen.
Fragments of people, kept in containers for miles to see.

“Check the boxes.”
Frozen with horror; this was my fault.
Fragments of people, kept in containers for miles to see.
These dreams I have; they are my fault.

Frozen with horror; this was my fault.
Sitting out on the concrete steps, I wait.
These dreams I have; they are my fault.
“Don’t forget your jacket!”