Four Hour Warning

[tectak]

I could have run with the others,
a deserter ahead of the holocaust,
but what would I gain.?

Instead I sit relaxed, accept what will be,Arguably comma after "Instead". It is probably protocol more than grammar but I read a pause of self-satisfied contemplation after the word, especially if you stick a semi-colon after "....what will be;"
make the most of these hour glass fragments,Todd will correct me but I think "hourglass" is the norm.
at home with good friends and family.

We drink wine and dine on a light lunch with laughter,
contemplate the complicated nature of politics and war,
take time to linger, trying to understand our goodbyes.Very authentic. I could describe lunch. Nice touch to introduce the "homeliness" of the thinking.

Poetry collections of memories and special places,
my voice chokes as I read out these fugitive pieces,
I wanted my tracks to be seen, dried in the concrete of existence.Not sure about "dried". It would not be a cliche to say "set".

The words were hard to find, lost to crumpled paper and interruption,
hidden to my pen, some still elude me now, Either a semi-colon here or drop the conjuctive "but" on the next line.
but these people know me, no need for veils anymore.This is building a very convincing story. I need to know why you used the word "veils". Am I missing something?

The sirens have stopped; I reach for familiar hands
foreheads touch, lips trace a brushed kiss before the hug,
she faces the door to watch our leaving.This is a soudainement "she". Who she? It could be the family dog/cat. Bring in the character a little earlier, methinks. If this was bridge, you got your trumps out too late.

Very attractive piece. There is a haunting ambiguity which keeps the interest. Even when you may not be sure that you get it all, you are comfortably aware that you have got enough.....though paradoxically I could ask for an Oliver. I do not normally need to know, but what inspired this piece now? Is there some contemporaneous news ( is there any other kind?) I have missed? Should I take the jigsaw puzzle back?
Best,
tectak