Compass

Forgetting (Italian Sonnet) 11/11

Unseasonably warm, and yet no sun's
forthcoming to this memorial day,
though yellow leaves shine sharper through the grey,
behind the crimson fuse of paper blooms.

Indonesia's on fire: peats release
as much as Japan's CO2 this year;
dandelions wish it were hotter here,
sit out this dull, their jackets tight, huffed peace.

We hasten down the roads we do not know
forgetting all determinants in play:
love-withholding stubbornness to forego
the ravages of war, and greed for sweets,
from ancient stockpiles, futures flamed away,
veterans left begging in the streets.

..............................