Second Place - Encounter by Diane Neff
Trembling hands, crooked fingers counted coins –
just coffee, to breathe its scented steam
and cradle warmth, a balm for wintry days.
His jacket cuffs, stray threads now frayed and fuzzed
hid fragile arms, a hint of blackened bruise.
My eyes moved upward, landed on his cap
with 82nd Airborne on its crown.
We sat together, talked of Normandy,
of comrades, sacrifice, of friends who fell,
of change, that even war is different now.
I thanked him for this time he shared with me,
and for his service 80 years ago.
About the Author
Diane Neff is a former professor, college dean, and U.S. Navy officer now serving as a librarian for the Seminole County (FL) Public Library System. She is a past president of Orlando Area Poets, a chapter of the Florida State Poets Association.