I Heard Marlene Dietrich Sing

For upcoming Memorial Say – third in a series of Toritto’s war poetry

Saw some 1920’s photos
when we had ended all the wars
thinking we would all be rich
livin’ fat and driving fancy cars

But it didn’t quite turn out that way
as kids went over there again
once more to see the sights of France,
island beaches; Italy

But then we knew we’d get it right
in Levittowns across the nation
but no; we sent them off again
Who is Uncle Ho Chi Minh?

Now some living in our parks
seek solace in an empty bottle
wondering how it went so wrong
fighting shadows in Mekong

I heard Marlene Dietrich sing
“Sag mir, wo die blumen sind?”
Remembering all the flowers gone
petals blow ‘cross a graveyard lawn.

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http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=12638&picture=military-cemetery&large=1

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