This poem is for Nathaniel Coleman, for whose grace and wisdom the world shall show scant appreciation, and by whom the poem's last line was clearly inspired.

ROMMEL DRIVES ON DEEP INTO EGYPT

— San Francisco Chronicle headline

June 26, 1942

Rommel is dead.

His army has joined the quicksand legions

of history where the battle is always

a metal echo saluting a rusty shadow.

His tanks are gone.

How's your ass?

-- Richard Brautigan