Today, I remembered a war

Today, I Remembered A War

This evening watching M*A*S*H with the kids

I was asked by my almost 11 year old son

“What is more difficult: being a soldier or being a doctor in a war
Is it more difficult to die or to watch someone else, helpless?”

And time once again compressed itself Like the Knight Bus

I was back in 1971 Windows papered with brown and black

Dinner at 6, something unknown

And the misplaced thrill of a 5 year old’s heart
for long shadows from candle light

Not knowing the seriousness

Of War, or Death The buzz,

the whine of planes overhead

Like so many bees

Hiding under covers and thinking

Who are these people?

Do they even know I am here
a tiny speck, a real person
and that I love puppies, chocolate and

to walk on the beach with my father?

Today we are sisters, you and I

and sit at the same table

I teach your child

I hold your hand

when you weep for his struggles

Or yearn for her success

And somewhere in the gathering dusk we remember the same war

We smile at our fears as we share memories with our children

And we comfort the girls that we were

On either side of that border

We move on with our lives and

We pray that our children

never ever have to face those fears

as we yearn for the rains of our long-lost homes

We pray that we are safe together

You and I.