on that hot August day in Georgia
as the 21 gunshots echoed
through the dead quiet of the cemetery
the flag that covered the pine box
was folded ceremoniously
and presented to the wife
who had suddenly become a widow
the spent shells were gathered
and distributed to the grandchildren,
their eyes wide as their little fingers
curled around the tangible
reminder of this ceremony
in remembrance of their papaw
~Susan Tidwell 2007
~photo Quiet Seclusion II by Keith Harris found here
