thoughtful walk

Words on a wall
Names on a black mirror
Fine grooves to run one's fingers over
Get up close to read them
Step back to take it in,
to see how many names there are
Carved into the granite
Surrounded by a solemn silence
footsteps, quiet murmering
Those who gave their lives for their country
Those who gave their lives for us
Walk the length of the wall
See all the faces in the mirror
Your own, and those whose names are there
White on black
Irises in a smoke-blackened face
Looking at you quietly
Memorialized, enshrined
Reverence of remembrance.