Median

Along the Appalachian foothills highway

sallow leaves drift.

On the median, banks of yellow flowers

late in the season.

Today flags and bunting will drape the chain link

fences and cracked windows.

The red Jesus Heals fliers will litter the downtown streets,

like everyday, like the smell of ash in alleys.

Somehow I believe the day's dead would prefer wild

September poppies from Southern red clay.

Not a patriot's memorial of frayed cloth,

but a blaze of living memories.


Marti Keller ©September 11, 2002