Memory/ Remembrance/ If Only

My eyes close in rest
Much like the moon at the dawn
My mind stays awake

I stand in the cemetery where my grandmother lays. Beside her are two soldiers, one on each side. Her husbands. Military service, the ultimate sacrifice. Military servitude to a military life. Happy wife, happy life. There are medals you can only receive when you lay down to rest, for the last time.  Rest in peace. Peace; the reward given to those who sent you to war … if you win.

Upstairs neighbour sleeps
The same grave different day
We fought in your wars

“It must be weird to be here on Memorial Day,” said Donald.

“Huh? Why?” asked Justin.

“Well my family takes Memorial Day pretty seriously but don’t worry there is still going to be a cookout. Just after … this,” he said, waving his hands around.

“We have Remembrance Day in Canada. It’s just like Memorial Day.”

“So you have cookouts?”

“Umm no.”

“Fireworks?”

“Not really.”

“Does your dad get up and tell war stories about when he was in the war and how your grandfather fought and how your forefathers fought in the Revolutionary War to bring freedom to this country and how everyone should be grateful that your family is here?”

“Uh not exactly,” said Justin.

“So, it must be weird to be here on Memorial Day,” said Donald.

“Yeah eh.”

Memories fade quickly
Grey clouds pass by overhead
The clocktower chimes

If only they had remembered. I shake my head for what must be the millionth time. I look up scanning the skies for drones, for what must be the millionth time. All clear so far. Ever since they figured out that by splitting up any group into single person “units” warfare had become a lot lonelier. Though better alive and alone then dead with a million others. And as long as you believed that you were fit for active duty. When you stopped believing it you were as good as dead. When you stopped questioning it one way or the other that was the time to get off the battlefield.

If only they had remembered. Remembered the futility of fighting, the fallibility of human intelligence especially those that relied on artificial intelligence. If they had remembered the beauty of love and not money. If only. I shake my head again. The Hallucination War was an apt name. Started by who knows who, fought by unmanned drones and vehicles, amplified by AI. Until the only way to shut it down. … Send in the fleshies. Human beings. Us. Me. Flesh and blood against metal, plastic and circuitry. An unfair fight but the only fight left. If only they had remembered.

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This is for a dVerse prompt: This Memorial Day, let us honor what we want to remember. Let our haibun sing our remembrance! Write a haibun that alludes to remembrance. I chose to do 3 though they can all tie together or be separate. I tried to keep it short as I usually do a haiku and then a story after I wanted to keep it to a much smaller piece after the haiku. I hope you enjoy! 😊