for Samantha Smith (1972 - 1985)
She raised the question to the
sky, simply asking Why
such a cold absence of comity between the Bear and the
Eagle? Andropov assured her he wanted
Peace as he
ordered strafing on Afghan villagers &
spread the bloodred tide of
Kremlin goodwill. She
was just a pawn in that
global chess match (Daniloff) , propping up a
failed economic philosophy &
glory-gilt munitions &, well... another
chance to make the
Gipper look bad, tho she'd simply asked
Why? &
took it (by invitation) to Moscow, Tokyo, Hollywood &
London under the
shadow of Halley's comet, 'till
Flight 1808 took Hope's boldest emissary on
that ride we're all due a
turn on, into the
wet oaks & pines & golden
rods just short of
Runway 4, 'Lewie (44N/70W)
(i felt it from
the Villa)
' ~ashes-to-
ashes~ all further questions & '...her smile, her
idealism and unaffected sweetness of
spirit' (Reagan) down in
flames, leaving only the
Answer to that
question aloft.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem