Poetry is Good for America
Evergreen and twinkling lights
Crispness in the evening air
The smell of baking from the kitchen —
The holidays are finally here
In a year of desperate struggle
Political theater and viral threat
At last, we’ve reached the season
Reminding us to not forget
That despite our current station
And the burdens on our mind
God’s intention from creation —
Peace on Earth, Goodwill for mankind!
Yesterday was Veterans Day
There were parades
And people thanked me for my service
There were deals and meals all over town
If I wanted to pursue them
But I stayed home
To me yesterday will always be Armistice Day
The wars of my lifetime simply do not compare
And while every person who served is valuable
Some sacrificed more than others
When I dwell on this I feel guilty
Perhaps it is best to know that yesterday was Remembrance Day
Now that is an idea that I can get behind
Spending time in votive contemplation
On those who sacrificed all
But Americans do that in May as we memorialize the loss
So, what can we do with Veterans Day?
We must make each day a day to be grateful
For all that we have
And a memorial to all that we lost along the way
Yesterday was Veterans Day
But today I look at my bundle of silk, paper, and plastic poppies
Collected over the years
And I realize the power of remembrance.
The leaves are falling
On your grave.
And I’m not there today
To say goodbye.
Instead, I’ll buy
Two drinks, one for you
Instead, I’ll raise my glass
and cry.
Instead, I’ll visit that wall
Next summer
And cry.
For those who died in muddy fields
or pressed on through the jungle
or those that fought up rocky hills
and found eternal slumber
They served, some died
they knew the deal
that blood secures our time
that freedom’s bells will peal
But now we cannot stand alone
apart from one another
we have to help each other up
as sisters and as brothers
A house divided cannot stand
a lesson paid in blood
we’ll have to learn another time
if we betray their trust
For those who served and only wept
instead of being buried
Who wait and wonder if
we forgot why they stood for us
We need to pay them back in coin
that only patriots earn
with unity and loyalty
to the Union that they served
