Elegy

By Jim Correale

 

What! The spatha fell

From the strong hands

And a knee came to the ground.

 

A winter day that would call out

The thousands in words and deeds

Of memory, gratitude, empathy.

 

The time-dragon is cast off,

As are the giants and demons and sons of Cain,

But paid this time in blood.

 

Quiet now, the moorland; safer now,

The roads; plaintive now are we

As the fire smolders out.

Jim Correale is founder and editor of The Eastie Jolt and The Hubster Blog.  He's lived 89% of his life in East Boston, where he's been program director at the Salesian Boys & Girls Club and taught English at Savio Preparatory High School. He also worked as a reporter and editor while living in southern Maine.