Today, where the poppies grow, once,
men died.
Is yellow the color of Joy or the color of pus
dripping from the dead soldier’s eye?
In my mind, I have flowers for you,
my dear Mr. Wittgenstein:
you’re the symbol of WWI bravery,
and I know many of your brothers died.
Paula Puolakka (1982) is a Beat poet, writer, and MA (History of Science and Ideas.)