As if color were disrespectful
The sky donned a muted grey
While daylight eyes cracked open
Shedding sleep and a
Fine mist of tears

The stones themselves seemed solemn
As if they gravely shared this tragic loss
That hung there in the air, pervasive
And as penetrating
As the bitter cold

I wandered in among them slowly
Weaving through countless markers
Hearing their soft and muted cries
That did little to assuage
My own despair

Trying to make sense of the world
And the eulogistic words emblazoned
Warm and in such stark relief against
Cold, hard, unfeeling
Granite and marble

My approach appeared to go unnoticed
As curiosity overrode unobtrusive desires
Or possibly they welcomed me
Recognizing some sort of
Kindred spirit

They huddled close together, trembling
Gazing down upon the shattered remnants
Of what was once to be their future
Scattered twigs, clumps of mud
And broken ... empty shells