Storytime

Even now in the stony 
courtyard under withered
vines the characters 

are assembling. Doddering
fathers, young children, 
wives. Each can think 

of a word to tell why. 
But what’s to be done? 
And will the wounded boy 

arrive in time to say 
All’s right, the cup 
of trembling is dry 

and the bloody field won 
at enormous cost of life 
and vast tribulation?