I don’t care if the words go

or stay. Removing the plaque

won’t change the story though,

Plinths made blank don’t take it back.
 

We’ll ask, who’s that soldier, and why

face the dawn, hand over muzzel?

Is the chasm really closed? To die

a patriot against patriots, a puzzle
 

we have not solved yet. Brother

and brother, those freed not free,

disowned by ourselves and each other,

altogether blind who will not see.

Bruce Nevin

Edgartown