Dry Eyes

Steps crunch lightly over the gravel

And little children feet follow

Kicking up the small stones

And making as much noise as possible

The grass is green next to the path

The air smells of pine and fear

A hand reaches out and lightly

Brushes over each tombstone in turn

The footsteps stop

And black shoes walk over the green grass

A woman steps from the sunlit path

Into the shadowy graveyard

Sitting on her haunches

She gently traces the name on the headstone

With one finger

As tears trace a path down her face

She stretches out her arm

And catches her young daughter

As she comes walking up to her mother

She pulls her close

Together they stare at the final resting place

Of one man

One wife with wet eyes