Jim Drew
1998

Not so long ago
children cringing under desks;
a "tornado drill".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On a clear day from this window
you can see the city gleaming
no more than a horizon away.
This noon the city's shrouded 
in clouds and portents.
Still it blinds imagination;
that is where the bombs will bloom
if our world should end today.
Ships in the Atlantic,
missiles in Havana -
the young and forceful President
is facing down the Bear.
"Watch the news tonight--
if they should start a war,
start walking on the railroad tracks
toward me--I'll meet you half the way.
If we're going to die,
let's die together.
Just two miles each--
we should be able to make it."
She looks down and nods assent.
"I'll try. I promise I'll try."
Our hands link under the table.
Of all unseen tomorrows,
only one's too close.

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