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I wrote this poem years ago for Memorial Day. It's a good day for remembering.
Memorial Day I do not know all your names And to my shame I cannot recall all your battles But when I see my young man’s face Dressed in camouflage in our place I remember your trials and I am rattled My bright beloved armed for battle Armed with a soldier’s skills
I don’t cry for those who died I cry for those who survive Bodies bandaged and worse souls damaged And I think about my son’s father And weep for the times I didn’t bother To kiss him goodbye to kiss him goodbye
If I could see through yesterday And remember the things I didn’t say Would I keep Sabbath holy and kneel to pray If I could be assured of his safe tomorrow And if I could see him safe from sorrow If I could see him I could see him
In memoriam I should vow with honor Patriotism and faith and valor And most of all to not forget you who came before But all I can promise you is what I have A daily routine of wash and dry and unlovely chores And that is a daily freedom I could do without But I want to thank you and I do thank you
My bright and handsome husband wakes each day because of you And he puts on his Battle Dress Uniform in remembrance of you And he is schooled in the warrior’s skills as you were And pays his bills and thinks of the future And plays softball on the fields where you might have drilled And learns the tactics used to kill And like you, it is not all he is, it is not all you were, and I remember.
Posts: 1545 | Registered: May 2002
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Thanks for sharing your unique perspective.
