lost,

destruction
was all around him

no matter which way he looked things were on the ground

he turned west: rubble
spun east: dust
north: collapsed buildings
a final gaze south: numb souls.

bed post and picture frames,
broken glass from window panes,
shrouded the ground from sight.

the smell of burning smoke

and iron and rust from people now gone

were his highest senses

then he sat
with one arm on one knee,
and his hand cupping his chin,
scuffed elbows and a dirty face.

alone,
and thinking
about all the memories
of his past home.