THE SHINE JOURNAL

Parade Rest

by

Gary Beck

 

After the battle is over

the soldiers return to their barracks

and we organize a homecoming parade

that costs millions of dollars

to greet our splendid warriors,

who did their job properly

and killed our enemies.

Then there are our leaders

who boldly snatched billions

and sent our armies abroad

and enforced economic sanctions

in tiny, totalitarian kingdoms,

while millions of our people

petitioned our government in vain

for desperately needed assistance.

Instead of expensively presenting

the legions in their splendour,

we should have an honor guard

for each branch of the service

proudly bear the flag up Broadway,

slogging through the tickertape

to our cheers and gratitude,

and we’ll use the money saved

in judicious investments

for the future of our children.

BIO:

Gary Beck has spent most of his adult life as a theater director and worked as an art dealer when he couldn't earn a living in the theater. He has also been a tennis pro, a ditch digger and a salvage diver. His original plays and translations of Moliere, Aristophanes and Sophocles have been produced Off Broadway and toured colleges and outdoor performance venues. He currently lives in New York City, where he's busy writing fiction and his short stories have recently appeared in numerous literary magazines including The Shine Journal.

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