Grant's Tomb

On my first morning in NYC at the New Sanctuary gathering I stumbled across Grant's Memorial Tomb which lies just NW of the Riverside Church. I thought of the old Grant's tomb joke and the quiet time for reflection that morning inspired a poem.

Grants’ Tomb
9/2/2009

Light advances on water, earth and flesh
Troops of day attack shadows of dream and dread
“Let us have peace,” said the Man ‘o War
A grand old party slogan long forgotten
Who lies in this tomb?
No one
The general has relocated
His portrait eyes the questioning heart
Has he gone to Hiroshima?
Maybe Kinshasha?
Could be Iona
Tomb cannot hold dream
The drunken soldier’s eyes shift toward the New Morning
Every dawn empties another grave
Commander-in-Chief trades night for day
In a house divided