80 The parade ends up at the graveyard

80                       

The parade ends up at the graveyard,

where tiny flags certify old wars.

The band grows quiet.  The honor guard

stands by for prayers and orators.

 

Then, as the last bars of the anthem die,

they fire seven volleys at the sky.

Somewhere a solitary bugle knells.

Kids scuffle and scramble for the shells.