During a Time of War

by Neeli Cherkovski

Were you malicious or sweet?
It is difficult to remember
I suppose you might have been both
over time you are neither

I imagine we are in a difficult place
Unsure of ourselves, we name the birds
Right when night falls, shopkeepers
Close their shops, laborers go home

Friends drop in despite the war, or
Maybe because of it, some chain smoke
While others talk of themselves
Into the late hours, body bags pile up

On the tarmac, only foolish men
Rush to war, a thunderstorm rises,
One couple argues, no shame,
Come on and drink a cold one

The troops are snapdragons, earthen
Pots line the walkway, one day
Melodious clouds pass overhead,
Open your eyes, the war never happened

Pass peace around, look outside, an
Old librarian beats on a car hood, will
Someone call the cops? tell them
To get moving, try to relax, be somber

Soon midnight, we need another case,
Helicopters fly upside–down, I built
An elegy of geraniums and gardenias
In order to keep free from your care