Lives engraved

lives saved

for glory in austerity

in posterity, saviours

as paviours, engravers.

fossils hewn to names

shells of purpose shattered.

 

enshrined, vertically inclined

look up with respect, alphabetical.

 

Lives enslaved, lives saved

for posterity and austerity.

 

God spares some and God receives others

grieving mothers.

squarely formed, uniformed

marching ranks.

blocks blunt out the sun

shrugging off raindrops and stifling tears.

parading years

each name a soul escaped.

Respecter of dawns rising up

a monolithic haven,  heaven

where safety lies, dues are paid

long after blood memory catches

a setting sun

somebody's son,

still tall when grieving subsides.