Conflict

brought forth from the ice-
my tarnished battle armor
deeply scarred from use
–
far from the cherry blossoms-
the clarion call
of battle

these nameless corpses
stacked upon one another
bear witness to war
–
cobalt sky-
birds nest in
the shattered roof

the scars on your soul-
mementos of battles fought
but never quite won
–
broken silence-
the distant crash
of rutting bucks

averting my eyes
pretending not to notice
your scars and bruises
–
cherry copper leaves-
the distant crash
of rutting stags