Saul Bennett
The Castle Lowered
In the war they lowered like a grave-box
from a flatbed into a trench it seemed
the size of Maine a brand-new White Castle
at a lot a block away. A crowd watched
into the stars. One boy said he wanted to bet
how many Marines had died in the time
it took to bury the Castle. A stranger
ordered us shut up and place caps over hearts
till he was satisfied. Then he gimped off.
The same boy wondered how many Marines
had been killed just that minute alone.
The oldest boy, his brother, slapped his face.