is of the soldiers folding the big flag off the box

and the rifles firing suddenly into the air.

I cried.

My mother was crying too.

But I cried loudly.

The unexpected shots had startled me so.

A lady i did not know carried me down the hill

that i have come to know so well

to a car that a soldier drove us away in.

She held me close and spoke to me softly.

I found comfort in her breasts

that I did not find in my mother's

and I did hush.

"When is daddy coming home?"

I asked without whimpering.

"Don't ask me that honey," she said.

"Ask me anything but that.

"Her lips trembled and she pulled me in closer.

The soldier did not look at us or speak;

He just drove.

"Hush now,"

I told the lady.

"Everything's going to be alright."




G.S. Ward