corpses strewn on a battlefield
like lacy gray leaves
upon an unyielding earth.

the poor and the well-heeled,
no brady¹ bereaves.
it brings no increase to his worth.

the mirror’s stolen mirth
is lost among the sheaves.
ev’n murderous crows fail to yield.

reflections swallowed, steeled.
light caught in earthen sleeves.
we give ‘em all a wide berth

forgotten, unremembered, unremarked

© 2017 rl bussél

1. Mathew B. Brady, Civil War Photographer. Known for his self promotion. https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/brady-photos ↩