day of remembrance

day of remembrance

it’s still dark when
mom, with gentle touch,
wakes the small boy.
-dad is waiting, you can go with him-
it’s the end of May and drizzling.

in the car are sleepy boy and dad.
it’s not yet dawn. they
leave to fetch Uncle Frank
while mom stays home,  she
will prepare breakfast.

at grave sites he learns
of his forebears and where
they are buried. the patches
are tidied, flowers are placed,
and brief prayers are said.

returning home in the light
of a bleak day, a heavy meal
is set on the kitchen table. he learns
that day of people of the past
and of the respect due them.