Wednesday, July 27, 2022

14,457. THE TANK AT FENSLAVEN

THE TANK AT FENSLAVEN
They like to memorialize war like
a birthday or some party; whether
religious or anarchic, I do not know.
Yet, in spite of exaggerated memory,
each man holds forth his own role
in the truth : the matters of that which
was, with whom, and how and when.
That's the easy part.
-
Now the young boys, I watch, are
clamoring over the tank. For fun,
and as a residue of a war they never
knew, or saw. Perhaps they heard.
Read stories, or some Grandpa told
the tale: The citadel bell at Remagen,
how it had to be re-taken three times,
as it traded back and forth.
-
The old dusty path to Remy and
Faison. A clock tower and two
churches  -  how the people cried
and waved their rags as we entered
town. They were grateful to live,
and grateful for us.

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