the walking wounded

the walking wounded
emotional zombies suffer
pained awakenings
their nightmares grizzle in
another colorless day, misery
lasts for an eternity that is too grey
but never long enough
for them to forget

the walking wounded
sentimental cripples
hobble through love
life gives up no presents
bequests nothing
that the past does not destroy
how not to remember?

the walking wounded
children, unforgiven,
too tiny to fall from the nest
broken unsoaring
they never attain tomorrow
it's a muddied path, they slip
stones crumble under foot
sunrise and sunset meld
into a promise never kept


the walking wounded
[2007.9.1...a]
Revised 9/2/2009