The Woman Next Door Burning Her Garden
She wants to see flowers
turn to light. One by one
they blaze and disappear,
tiny flags of flame
above a village, waving,
while children stand beside
a ditch, watching the camera.
She stands back, one hand raised
to shield her face. She says
ashes make the best soil next spring.
He isn’t coming home.
I want to throw myself in
with the rows of tomatoes, and burn.
(Ken Zimmerman 1977) (previously appeared in Quarry West)
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