Taps For a Veteran
It was so simple
All he had to do
Was what they
Told him
Stand straight
Wet your lips
Press the valves
And let the bugle do the rest.
The last few words
Were the toughest
“..Then goodnight, peaceful night;
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright.
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, goodnight.”
The melancholy sound
Lingered for a moment
Emotions evaporated
In the warm afternoon sun
Tears stopped
Then an uneasy silence
Came
As the mourners
Slowly left the cemetery.
He was just a regular soldier
There weren't any buglers left
The bugle
He played
Was electronic
With the press of a button
A sound came out
But who was to know
It was all make believe.
He waited
Half hidden
Under the shade of the trees
Nervously placing
The bugle
Back in its case
For him
There was no sense of satisfaction
Only of relief
That it was over.
Taking a deep breathe
He turned
And walked away
Just like they told him to.
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment