Lest We Forget

Dorothy Walker and Lois Holland

Responsive tanka

D

the tramp
of a thousand feet
fainter now
the numbers lessen –
we will remember them

L

we clean up
after the flood
debris, mud –
my father told me once
of life in mud in the trenches

D

he sits
in the quiet room
lost in memories…
does he hear the voices
of fallen comrades?

L

a child
plays the piano
Dad’s choice
“roses of Picardy”
why does he feel so sad?

D

In Flanders field
the poppies grow,
in my garden
sweet scented rosemary.
Lest We Forget.