She is my second language
Yet he becomes my third
When fighting for words
Beyond her ken
In his confession
Of an instinct for grief
Lacking synonyms
Dismissing her youth
As gardener in war
Ancient warrior
Defending truth
That grows as he dies
The depth in his eyes
The language of this brother tongue
A rose among thorns
So sparse and silent
The irises of his garden
Long-tended
Antonym for violence
