A shadow of remembrance

They were assembled in the playground. Surrounded by the empty shells that once made up their town. Bits of debris fell at intervals from crumbling walls punctuating the silence.

The minister read the list of the dead.

A shadow of remembrance shaded those gathered from the sun peeking through the dust filled sky. Acrid smoke fumes left unwanted mementos in nostrils. A chain of held hands and touched shoulders each person reaching to contact the next be they family, friend, or stranger. United in grief.