Faded Roses

Faded Roses

A darker spot upon the paper
two feet up, a line
horizontal with the floor
(not mine)
but above it, like shadows
on a movie screen
two figures sit as in repose,
on one a silent scream
that calls to darker times
and threats of neutron bursts –
a window shattered and these shadows
etched forever in the worst
of days as they sat sipping tea
or reading morning news
and laughing at the reader’s letters
and pay the piper’s dues.