TWO POEMS FOR MEMORIAL DAY

“Memorial Day ‘70”

Never to forget—
all our dreams undreamed.
Never to forget—
our children uncreated.
Never to forget—
the loved ones we left waiting;
their hopes, their lives unclasped from ours.
Never to forget—
our voices young, our laughter strong.
Never to forget—
our places are held by your memories.
Never to forget—
our victories on the football field,
debates we won, songs we sung,
our baby shoes and first tuxedo,
fishing poles and rock collection,
the cowlick time would never tame—
Please don’t forget each soldier’s name.

“For the Missed and Missing”

No waving flags and no parade,
just bring them home, raise them up,
those young hearts that left so long ago
And came back old, or not at all—
Bring them home, hold them close.

Listen till the wounds run dry,
until the bitter river slows,
until the angry fever cools,
till the night forgets to quake and quaver,
till the squint-eyed glance can trust again,
till rents in heart and mind are mended,
till the alienated country is once more friend—
Bring them home, hold them close.