U. Mass-Boston on a Rainy June Day, 2009

Standing in the breeze, mist on my nose,
damp clothes cling like memories of the sun
that won't appear. Corita's tank city splashes
on the National Grid are rainbows of protest-
blue, yellow green, orange- a reminder.

Forty years since 1969, and still we recycle
our behavior, find new wars
as if lives were like the cans and bottles
tossed into this green trash can.

Jet engines squeal behind low hanging clouds;
a plane descends on approach to Logan
over sails in Dorchester Bay as
the Crystal Transport bus spews diesel
from the Campus Center to the Red Line T.

I breathe in damp, almost taste the salt.
Today,I will call the VA...don't want
to land bloodied and cold in the recycle bin...groan
of jet and splash of mist...triggers...a C-130
transport with coffins and maimed...

stumble in a haze from a Bangkok bar...
river grit...screams from thatched huts...
new orphans...hear prayer chants...
sand in my mouth...

Linda Buskey LeBlanc