A Trilogy To Heroes Lost

     While today we “celebrate” and give thanks to the men and women who have so often, throughout our history given of themselves for the welfare of this great nation and to the prospect of liberty and freedom for us all, these following poems are dedicated to those, who gave fully of themselves, so that we, the beneficiaries of their dedication, to the principles on which this country was founded  may continue to enjoy the freedoms that they paid for, with that greatest of sacrifices.

     And please let us remember the events of the Benghazi tragedy, and recognize that our heroes are not always in uniform.

      May they be at peace, now and forever,

Jake.  

Heroes All

A Hero Comes Home

The whistle echoed

throughout the hills,

long before the train appeared.

That let us know

that you were home,

and soon, that we’d stand near.

*

 Not long ago

you left us here,

to seek your spirit true.

Adventure called,

you answered back.

And now, your quest is through.

*

 You proved yourself

to one and all,

the man you were inside.

And that proof no more

could you have shown,

than on that day, you died.

*

 They came to us

with faces solemn,

 their uniforms, pressed and creased.

To express to us,

their heartfelt sorrow.

“That your son, is now deceased.”

*

 They told us of a battle,

hard-fought,

yet bravely won.

They told us of a hero,

and that hero,

was our son.

*

 They said that you’d

be coming home,

 and on this morning’s train.

With escort

and full Honors,

for you, our hero slain.

*

 And so here we stand

with pride and pain,

for our hero’s here at last.

But, we wish to God

that for just this once,

that we could change the past.

***

 Jack Downing

Oct. 2012

 ………………………………………………

Arlington

Crosses and stars

perfectly rowed

on manicured fields

so patiently mowed.

*

 Red, white and blue

in contrast to green

in every direction

in multitudes, seen.

 *

Yes, crosses and stars

of alabaster white

precisely so placed,

dressed left and dressed right.

*

 Markers to tell

the names and the ranks

of those who have passed

and to whom, we owe thanks.

*

 To those who have served

to keep us all free

 they rest now in peace

with God now, they be.

***

 Jack Downing

May 2012

 ……………………………………………….

The Unknown Patriot

No, we know not your name,

nor, from whence you came,

and we know not, the color of your skin.

No, we know not to whom you prayed,

nor, what your practiced trade,

and, we know not your next of kin.

No, we know not your final words,

nor, if that they were heard,

and, we know not your place or station.

But, this we know be true,

that America, remembers you,

as a hero, and a patriot, of our nation.

***

 Jack Downing

                                                                    Sept. 2011

………………………………………………

Copyright© Jack Downing, aka Jake @poemsandponderings.wordpress.com. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or disseminated in any manner without the expressed written consent of the author. JRD 11/11/12