Everything there was

The Cruelty Of Continuance

Swan slips slow across sunplay on the lake
where the winter girl went through the ice.

Lark sits the meadowbroke oak limb
where the bright rope held the still boy.

White cloud passes through a space in sky
where the plane fell into the dark blue sea.



Mother removes forgotten clothes from a dryer
where yesterday a small form fit them perfectly.

Children sit before chalk alphabets and open books
where one morning took everything there was ever to learn.

Joseph Gallo
December 15, 2012