7) The 14th Step

history of sadness
etches the old man’s face,
a road map of suffering
where recent events
merely add one more line
on the journey of his life

he watches quietly
the hands fold the flag,
a last remembrance
of the body before him
laid to the peace
the soul never knew in life

who knows the images
that flicker in the shadows
of the old man’s heart,
all that is certain
are the tears which flow
in resignation down his face

my hand rests lightly
upon his shoulder,
the only solace that i can offer
is that the coffin is not mine

in silence we walk
from the grave,
the roses we hold
a memory of the last time
the entire family
would be together