The celebrations were just

      a thin skin over a wound

deep in the pysche

      death

crisply crackled on sullied ground

      desolation a breath away

shoulders hunched against

      the monolithic memory

buildings shored up.

      Dogs beseeching

cats disappearing around corners

      devoid of direction

Shops cobbled together trade

      holding up a ragged tribute

to those in rags

      they just got by

with the incessant tea and cigarettes.