Terry Ireland Poet Rhyme

Absent Friends Salute

It’s at centre  of the table
The  drink to Absent Friend
Standing there untouched
Until the meeting’s end.
The first round tipped to it
In a solemn, silent salute
In the standing tradition
Of paying our tribute.
 
Some fell in action,
Some fell to the booze,
Some by their own hand,
Some you win, some you lose.
We don’t make any judgement,
Don’t ask any reason why,
Just thinking that, so easily,
Could have been you or I.

We each have our Absent Friend
And we drink to them one and all,
Just for that moment bring each
Back to mind in silent recall.
No matter how long the meeting 
Each ends in the same way
With The Absent Friends Drink,
Untouched, being poured away

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Speaks Volumes October 20, 2022 at 10:05 AM Terry I found myself just sitting in silence after reading that, pensively seeing where the lone drink sat. I have never heard of that tradition before. Your poem made me a silent bystander in the background of that meeting. I felt the admiration, comradery and respect felt for those absent. Terry Ireland October 20, 2022 at 10:22 AM Hi Wendy - I don't know if it was tradition throughout the Army, but it was in my Regiment, and when we have our infrequent reunions we always have an Absent Friends pint on the table.

Kim Rodrigues October 20, 2022 at 5:24 AM We don’t make any judgement, Don’t ask any reason why, Just thinking that, so easily, Could have been you or I…cheers to the absentees you bonded with, brothers in arms. Tears. Terry Ireland October 20, 2022 at 8:50 AM Am so pleased for you Kim - no matter what we may think, we all need our brother or sisterhoods - they make life so much richer. Very best wishes to you. Kim Rodrigues October 20, 2022 at 6:17 AM Wow, Terry! I know you are thankful for each one. I depend on my “sister and brothers” at church. We are bonded by Christ. After losing my mom, those who had been through that common loss gave me a shoulder and now I am strong enoughto be the shoulder for another. Thanks for sharing your story and for your service. Terry Ireland October 20, 2022 at 5:59 AM Thanks Kim. I can’t stress how important those Brothers in Arms are. They brought me back from the depths when I lost my late wife just over 10 years ago.