We Wanted It to End   We wanted it to end in smiles, parades, our enemies embracing us as friends, as saviors, another cornerstone laid   in the temple of our greatness, our victory garden. We wanted what we paid for. We wanted more time, wanted to pick   the perfect moment, solemnly and gently pulling the plug in the glow of flickering candles. We wanted it to end.     © Michael Fleming Brattleboro, Vermont August 2021