By LORRIE SWANSON

some saw it in black and white and some in color
our illustrious leader telling us that the war has ended
but no one cheered or lit off fireworks
and no hats flew in the air because the people were all tired of war

the streets downtown stand dark and silent
people walking in twos, engaged in private conversations
no one is dancing in the street or kissing strangers
veterans of former wars weep tears

mothers cry for fallen sons
soldiers routinely salute their officers for the last time
veterans of the present march home
to no jobs and welfare

prisoners withdrawn and confused fly home
to loved ones older than memories
voices of living and dead sound old
frozen with age and dust

medals and papers are stored in boxes in the attic
unseen children of prisoners dodge warily
shy with puzzlement
older men in the park sit quietly in the sun

there's nothing to talk about
men toss at night sweating and crying
dreaming of bombs and fire
seeing faces of children and dying heroes

is this all worth it for a war