sun set wall paper
digital preservation?
though not quite the same.
A Delayed Departure
The sniper met the bomber on one
of those inscrutable grassy fields
mapmakers were continually assigning
to one side or another
the soldier had his orders
his counter held his trigger
but the bullets wouldn't spit
out of precision-drilled chambers
while the wiring was faulty
in the unexploded vest
so they shouted to one another
across the ever-shrinking divide
-why are you here?
-what is it to you?
when it soon became apparent
that today was not a day to die
for either of them
each turned, walked away
wondering if he would have missed
the wind, the rain, the field, the plains
if his machinery had not failed him.
+++
Musings on unexpected gifts.