May 20, 2003

A Day Out of the Box #3

The fabric of our lives.

Yesterday
I sent a package
to my second cousin,
stationed in Iraq –

six pairs of
white cotton underpants
and a package of
vitamin C lozenges,

because even though
I protest this vile war,
urge presidential impeachment,
and grieve for those collaterally damaged,

I remember her
before the wars -- that
feisty tow-headed toddler,
mindful motherless girl,

adventuresome young woman,
who took a calculated risk
that tossed her into desert dirt,
and a longing for
fresh, clean underwear.

(copyright EF 2003)

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Old Comments (3)

  1. Betsy Devine on 20 May 2003

    Beautiful, Elaine. Thank you.

  2. Betsy Devine on 20 May 2003

    Hi, Elaine, me again--I hope you don't mind that I posted this beautiful poem, including your copyright and a link back to it, over on my blog at
    In case you can't tell, I really, really like it.

  3. dzwonki polifoniczne nokia on 14 Jun 2004

    Hmmmmm interesting !!!