Login
|
Join PoetrySoup
Home
Submit Poems
Login
Sign Up
Member Home
My Poems
My Quotes
My Profile & Settings
My Inboxes
My Outboxes
Soup Mail
Contest Results/Status
Contests
Poems
Poets
Famous Poems
Famous Poets
Dictionary
Types of Poems
Quotes
Short Stories
Articles
Forum
Blogs
Poem of the Day
New Poems
Resources
Syllable Counter
Anthology
Grammar Check
Greeting Card Maker
Classifieds
Member Area
Member Home
My Profile and Settings
My Poems
My Quotes
My Short Stories
My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder
Soup Social
Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us
Member Poems
Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Random
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread
Member Poets
Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest
Famous Poems
Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100
Famous Poets
Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War
Poetry Resources
Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter
Email Poem
Your IP Address: 18.117.227.194
Your Email Address:
Required
Email Address Not Valid.
To Email Address:
Email Address Not Valid.
Required
Subject
Required
Personal Note:
Poem Title:
Poem
While strolling through a military cemetery about a week or so ago, I became transfixed by the sounds wafting about that serene plateau. An inviting bench beckoned me to sit and muse a while, And gaze upon those hallowed grounds and my varied thoughts compile. Over just a little ways I heard Old Glory snapping in the breeze, And the soothing soughs of zephyrs meandering amongst the trees. I enjoyed the sweet melodies of birds as they flitted to and fro, And the water's melodic hymn as it flowed in a rippling brook below. I was startled by the rhythmic clip-clop of horses' hooves across the way. Alas, a funeral was being conducted for a fallen hero that very day. A flag-draped coffin was borne by a caisson followed by an honor guard, The measured cadence of their shiny boots striking the pavement hard! I was rapt as I heard the Chaplain offer his words of consolation, And the Sergeant's remarks as he presented the flag from a grateful nation. I heard the muted sobs of kin as the flag was presented on ben'ded knee, To the soldier's little son who I judged to be around the age of three. The twenty-one gun salute rent the afternoon air as if fired as one, To honor a gallant comrade for his faithful service and laurels won. I stood as the haunting notes of "Taps" echoed o'er the plain. My eyes welled with tears as they always do when I hear that sad refrain. Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)
CAPTCHA Preview
Type the characters you see in the picture
Required