Pebble

 
 
 

First day of the month—
 
I place a small white pebble
 
on my father’s grave.

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Vigil

 
 
 

Yellow butterfly,
 
how long will you keep vigil
 
at my father’s grave?

Chrysanthemums

 
 

First days of autumn—
 
white chrysanthemums unfurl
 
on my father’s grave.

Headstone

 
 
 

seven steps away
 
from the soldier’s white headstone
 
room for a fresh grave

Grave

 
 
 

first flowers of spring
 
pushing aside the chickweed
 
on grandmother’s grave

Lantern

 
 
 

a solar lantern
 
placed upon the soldier’s grave
 
keeping watch by night

Amber

 
 
 

amber marigolds
 
in a jar at the old grave
 
someone remembers