media representation

in the movies,

everyone’s grave is bloated with flowers

mounds and mounds of vivid, vibrant petals

scream memorials

innocent, gorgeous, precious victims

sweet grandmas or strong mothers

angel-faced children

noblest sons and fathers

in real life,

graves are bare, slated stone

 small mounds of dirt

etched words, few, likely feeble memories

limited to two dates, an age

of anyone who could be anyone

and the flowers have died