Free Verse: Carl’s Plaque

An old man died recently.

We were unacquainted,

and I suppose

he was not acquainted

with anyone anymore,
because I was in his house

throwing his unclaimed belongings

into blue trash bins.

I came across a weathered plaque

signed by Richard Nixon,

“In commemoration of your heroic service

to the United States of America.”

His deeds were not written.

At the landfill I threw the plaque

into a receptacle.

It laid there

amongst the trash,

when I thought it was a shame, for

the short time before

it was covered by refuse.

At home

I again contemplated the plaque

but I had forgotten his name...

Carl something.