Steve Stalonas Remembered Poem by Bill Grace

In the stable with plenty to eat
The restlessness that denies sleep is shared with a picture that
Given forty minutes of mid day laps,
Makes no sense except for the old Quaker's wisdom,
That God's ways grind exceedingly fine.
That the picture of the slightly bald chaplain
In the pool with the handsome black lad
Was taken before the lad became a Master Sergeant
(Which is not an insignificant rank given the world of media generals)
Was taken before Al Qaeda was a house hold word
Was taken when they - AQ - were doing their home work.
It's amazing what you can learn if you live and if you take the time to talk
To the Pakistani security guards guarding the compound
The vehicle having contained explosive but not carrying explosive
This time before another time called Khobar Towers or OPM-SANG.
And if you remember the words of a professional pacifist
Who would go to prison rather than wear a uniform
Who haunts me with his wisdom after Nixon and Clinton
That God's ways grind slow but exceedingly fine.
God's ways grind slow but exceedingly fine.