I built a fence of firewood
and blew the leaves in piles that stood alone
waiting for the snow to fall
I left them there collecting rain
The grass below would grow again by spring
but for years, the scars were all

Years and years
Years and years
The distance between fall and spring

In summer 1864
Grant was knocking at Lee’s door for sure
at the siege of Petersburg
Burnside blew the crater wide
The fool rushed in, the soldiers died – it’s still
the saddest sight I’ve seen in war

Years and years
Years and years
The distance between Grant and Lee

You left me or I left you
Who rose first and who fell through like plans
that were never meant to be
Barren ground and broken earth
The scars remain for what they’re worth, and you
You can tell your history

Years and years
Years and years
The distance between you and me

(Fall 2015)