sanitizing war

I walked today from my apartment to the office. It is the glorious, sunny slightly crisp clear day that boldly contrasts with the rain & fog of yesterday, making the day even more lovely. As I walk, I begin to find shoes tossed out with recycling along the side of the road. By the time I make it to the office, I have collected 5 ½ pairs of shoes.

I feel that bitter ironic taste, as I pick up these expectant shoes, sterile and even useable discards, about to morph into a rendering of those lives murdered…. no blood, no bits of guts or brain –just little flags fluttering black marks identifying a life so violated, so terminated, so dead.

On my way home, I find a milk crate full of shoes abandoned in yet another recycling heap. I cannot carry these with me.