salutes spaced
between vehicles–
ghostboots march
silently
in formation—echos caught
in mind’s eye–the tears
As with seemingly every celebration in 2020, the Veteran’s Day parade today here in NYC was largely symbolic–“a caravan of 100 vehicles with no spectators”–a shadow of the usual ceremony of 20-30,000 participants.
For Colleen’s #Tanka Tuesday where the words are imagine and gratitude, and Peter Frankis’ prompt at dVerse, where the task is to write about something from the local news (https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-york/articles/2020-11-11/car-caravan-replaces-parade-at-nyc-veterans-day-observance)
K. 
I attended a nine person covid safe service, small but moving …
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I’m sure others did the same.
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Beautiful 💜
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Those ghostboots send shivers.
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They do. They are always there.
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People seem to always hear the wrong message in them though.
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Sadly, many do.
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How everything has changed this year. I particularly liked the image of the ‘ghostboots’ still marching along that emptied avenue. Thanks also for the re-take on Born in the USA – what a different take on this rocking anthem.
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Thanks Peter. Jason Isbell really exposes the raw essence of Springsteen’s song. I’m of the age where Vietnam is still a shadow in my mind.
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I imagine ghostboots march at every Veterans Day parade. So poignant.
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Thanks Merril. I do too.
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We are all living in virtual ghost towns, in a ghost world Kerfe.
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We are. Thanks Rob.
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Chilling, beautiful, and heartfelt.
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Thanks Lucy.
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Poignant — and haunting. An apt image for Veterans Day….especially this year.
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This year will haunt us for a long time I think.
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Kerfe, that “anonymous” comment was from me. (I’m having trouble with my WP app since they came out with the new version.)
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Thanks Betty. Yes, I can’t seem to “like” anything most of the time anymore. I hope it will correct itself eventually…
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Kerfe, WP support has been looking into this glitch with their app (for mobile) for me, for the last few says. Meanwhile, today I changed a setting in my email app and suddenly I can “like ” posts again. Not sure how they’re connected, except that I read blogs by clicking on posts in emailed notifications. If that’s what you also do, let me know and I’ll let you know the setting I changed.
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I use my reader to look at blogs I follow. The reader has been doing strange things ever since they switched to the block. My daughter is a programmer, and she says most programmers never consider real people actually using what they design. We were talking about websites that make it hard to find the information you need, but it seems to be true of all digital platforms.
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That explains a lot, if programmers don’t imagine the people who actually use their programs. ☺ Good that you can get the inside perspective from your daughter. I’ve got to admire programmers for being able to create what they do!
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You have to like math. Both girls had to take programming in high school and they said either you got it or you didn’t. I’m sure I would have been one of the ones who did not!
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Me too! ☺
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What an eerie spectacle this must have been, but somehow fitting.
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I think you’re right Ingrid. It sums up the present state of the world.
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Very haunting, and impactful.
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Thanks Marje.
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You’re welcome 🙂
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I was unable to post a comment on your poem–wordpress is being uncooperative at the moment–but I enjoyed the photo and word tour.
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The imagery of “ghostboots” is overwhelmingly fraught with emotion.Beautifully captured “parade,” Kerfe.
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Thanks Dora.
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poignant… thanks to all the vets, living and dead.
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Thanks Debi.
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Beautiful and haunting words, Kerfe. My husband and I are both vets. That line: “ghost boots march…” Wow, that really is splendid imagery. I think of everyone who fought for our country and lost their lives. Such an emotional piece. It touches my heart. ❤
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Thanks Colleen. We should honor those who serve, and not just once a year.
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So true, Kerfe. Decency will be restored. ❤️
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