My Tribute on Veterans' Day

   I wrote this poem a few years ago. I've changed my mind now about how much I actually understand about freedom, nation, or sacrifice, but the patriotic gist of wanting to honor both those who died and those who survived rings true, and this is my tribute today.

Something More Than Dye

In this current day and age, I live in profound liberty.

Before I carry on this way

I’m first obliged to understand

Through portals writ in faded ink

Freedom, nation, sacrifice.

In images antique I see

A boy dressed up in soldier’s clothes

Broken for our liberty, while we are dressed in mockery;

A young girl, silent, bearing stripes and scars from whips most cruel,

While we object to wounded pride with curses from our lips.

I think I hear the echoed cries, I think I understand.

“Who else with me will carry on the cause for which they fought?”

Perhaps if you could see with me

The fields laid thick with those who fell,

Perhaps if you could feel with me

The burning tears of friend made foe by nation rent in two,

Perhaps if you could glimpse the fear

In marching headfirst into iron

From endless cannon blasts,

Perhaps if you could comprehend

You’d leave your foolish trifles be.

Do not let it be in vain that countless fell, indeed, to pay

The price that made this nation One

Or gave you this day liberty.

Take the gift before you now; don’t squander it away

With scoffing words, indifference, I see so oft today.

Above our heads waves fabric striped with something more than dye.

Before you hustle on with life, salute with me and say

What war-torn fields have always cried, “Under God, our Nation’s One.

The price has been full paid.”