Study for Enoch Wallace ‘After Appomattox’
Christopher Bucklow
Study for Enoch Wallace ‘After Appomattox’
Almost Gone
Young man at ease
almost slouching
like your boots.
Three silver buttons
Your knapsack on your back.
Those slouchy boots.
Your right hand clasps
your belt.
In your knapsack
water for the desert
and cigarettes in a tin
or in one of those French soft packs –
maybe camels.
You’ll head off soon,
shoulder your rifle.
Your face is dark,
your top lip darker.
You hold yourself back.
You observe me.
Unimpressed.
