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arts / alt.arts.poetry.comments / Expectations

Expectations

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Subject: Expectations
From: blackpoo...@aol.com (Edward Rochester Esq.)
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by: Edward Rochester Esq - Sat, 28 Jan 2023 02:14 UTC

Expectations

So, this is the closest
I’ve come to Miss Havisham
away from the printed page
and the expectations
are not great
when drapes are withdrawn,
that birds will be dancing in puddles
or Micawber will strut
and tip his hat as my stare
disturbs the new dust.

Tomorrow is another day, they say.

Gallons have flowed
through foreign fields,
before coagulating
around bones of conquer,
stuck as if scarecrows,
dotting a brief silent struggle.

Victory is proclaimed in newsprint,
though the struggle
now reaches domestic shores
as if blood and bone is now proclaimed
a new strain of cancer.

Most wonder, behind masks of protection,
how blue skies seem more a distant pastel,
memory only serving yesterday's dilemma
while looking patiently for a clearing to occur.

So, we count the names, count the closed eyes
to disruption, pin medals on chests for bravery
while pointing fingers at those that deceive
or infiltrate in the guise of patriotism.

Listen to spring birds, their dance and chirp
proclaim hope still can be found, though cats linger
in the shadows, ready to pounce
and scatter feathers into the new day.

Edward Rochester Esq.