The Green Waves Roll

When they mow the lawns where the white crosses lie
Each section of the American Cemetery at Normandy is cordoned off
Separating the graves of mostly young men from the crowd
While the mower’s sharp blades cut the green grass down
I sit and listen to the drone of the machine drive on
Leaving the remains to mulch the next crop of green leaves
Each one allowed to sprout only so far
Before they take their turn at being chopped down
Each green wave returned to earth
As it must and ever shall be
Since for every generation there will always come war
Where more young warriors will be laid low
Returning to the earth from which they came
Making room for the next wave of soldiers to face the blade