Artillery guns wisp their deathsmoke
for the final time. A nation takes breath 
while politicians straddle the direction of wind;
promises of rebuilding and restoration.
 
Widows and unmet children linger in doorways,
ready for the turn of a key
as Spring submits to Summer. 

Open-mouthed forests swallow bodies into nameless graves, 
roots drenched in blood and slaughter 
from all sides. 

The fight against fascism continues.

Monsters dwell.

Photo by Galt Museum & Archives on Unsplash