Relic

A friend helping clean my kitchen
brought me resting on her palms
a long rusty flat item. I said
“Doesn’t everyone keep a bayonet 
in their pantry?”
About that weapon: My dad picked
it up in France 1924 from Belleau 
Wood where was the worst carnage.
The trenches now overgrown with 
weeds. Thousands killed here –
They had to clamber over the slain
to fire, though the enemies had a
Christmas eve truce, drank wine 
together, and sang peace on earth.
My dad drove a cab for folks to see 
this area: for most standing near a 
spot where a certain life had ended,
handkerchief to the mouth eyes to
grieve a son or lover lost; they thought
my dad a Frenchman he spoke no English
as he pointed out poet Joyce Kilmer’s grave
his main job was near by a sort
of big brothers to fatherless boys. 
Did that blade kill someone before
the owner was himself a victim? Is
their blood mixed with rust in my pantry? 

2026 Jacqueline Jackson

This article appears in April 30-May 6, 2026.