Agnes Meadows

Photograph

"A boy walks past a bullet ridden wall as he enjoys a lollipop in Kabul."
(Nov. 12.2007 - MSN News)

That this boy could still have mischief in his eyes,
Could still grin like a door wide open,
Could still be easy in his shoes.

That this boy could still taste the ghost
Of strawberries in cheap pink sweets,
Still savour the sugaring stab of them on his tongue,
Could still imagine himself blessed at such a gift.

That this boy could still look
With wonder at an empty sky,
Watch skeining birds net November clouds,
Follow a heron on the wing.

That this boy could still say hello to strangers,
Could still trust learning,
Remember the pleasure of kites,
Imagine the fathering of children.

That this boy could walk uncaring past a wall
Confettied by shrapnel, the gouging lace of bullets
Knitted into the ground, be blind to the unraveling
Tapestry of craters seaming his pathway home.

That we could still turn away,
Indifferent, forget him in an instant,
Could still just turn the page.