H e a r t S o n s & H e a r t D a u g h t e r s of A l l e n G i n s b e r g

N a p a l m H e a l t h S p a : R e p o r t 2 0 1 4 : A r c h i v e s E d i t i o n

BOB RIXON

Memorial Day

Gold Star Mother, to you

the honor of a white Cadillac

at the front of the parade.

Then your slow steps

escorting the wreath

up the gray slate path

to the war monument

by the public library.

Each clang of the fire engine bell

is the face of someone's son.

Four old veterans with rifles

fire blanks at the blue sky,

a nervous boy plays "Taps."

They rest there for weeks,

your ribbons & fading flowers.

[Originally published in NHS 2005, http://www.poetspath.com/napalm/nhs05/rob_rixon.html.]