For The Lives Lost In Pursuit
I was born with silver-coated skin
gold coins pressed against my tongue,
blanketed in cottonwood fleece,
my initials hand-stitched
in every corner.
I had nothing to fend for –
not a life to lose for anything but myself.

My forefathers told the history books of
the parallels they crossed …
the lines they drew in separation
The waves which they sailed – waters crossed, boots laced.
Later, of the country they claimed –
crossed on foot and horseback
I cannot say I have
lived these things …
only depictions of battle in painting
whistles of anthem out of tune

Once, I ran my fingers across
my grandfather’s shelves
his weapons rested there, William
tattooed in ink across his arm.
I cannot imagine this because
I do not want to.
a time when war was everywhere …
beneath water and air
Carving death through epitaph stone
digging graves of fathers and sons
pouring their souls into holy water
We baptized a nation in blood
liberty draped a rosary through borders and monuments with
courageous intent

I pray for everything I have;
Everything given to me without
The loss of anything I own.
I pray for the rest of souls beneath my feet
Every advantage I have and did nothing to deserve …
I can assure you above all
there is no place in the world comparable
to this.