by Ben Weise

_

–

It was his touch she sought
just his touch light upon her shoulder,
nothing more, as she brought
the dishtowel to her eyes
but he was preoccupied, he told her,
said the company had been down-sized
and their pension jeopardized…
maybe they should see a financial planner
as he retired to the den
and fell asleep as was his manner
beneath the medals and the banner
of the boy they would not see again.