John Lawless Poet Quatrain

Cold Salute

Cold Salute
               7/4/2014


There is a sadness to it all
the smell of gunfire’s cold salute
flag wavers hushed by bugle’s call
in tribute to our freedom’s truth,

that all have benefited from
mothers, fathers, daughters, sons
those who gave all – those who gave some
protecting freedom’s fading dawns.

New voices speak in muted tones
of soldiers who held freedom’s hand
words echoed o’er the lifeless bones
alongside those who freely stand

to thank them all for what they gave
a tattered banner’s aching truth
that freedom’s flag must sadly wave
above the gunfire’s cold salute.



7/4/2014
For  Kelly Deschler 
contest – Not just any old Quatrain

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Poet Destroyer A July 31, 2014 at 12:39 AM thanks for your reply

Casarah Nance July 30, 2014 at 7:37 AM Well done!! that is just not any old quatrain that is a masterpiece, grats on your win!! John Lawless July 30, 2014 at 10:10 AM Thanks Casarah for stopping by and for your support

Seren Roberts July 29, 2014 at 10:15 PM Written with feeling, well done....Seren John Lawless July 30, 2014 at 10:09 AM Thank you Seren, we celebrate victories but they all come at a loss.

Poet Destroyer A July 29, 2014 at 1:57 PM John, A nice winning Quatrain. I don't know the form, however --Well done... Always ~LINDA John Lawless July 30, 2014 at 10:08 AM Linda, most of these forms I just learned about through the Poetrysoup contest. I mostly lean to simple rhyme and free verse.

Robert Lindley July 28, 2014 at 7:42 PM Great write!!!! Huge congrats on your fine win!!! John Lawless July 28, 2014 at 8:03 PM Thanks Robert.

Richard Lamoureux July 28, 2014 at 10:05 AM We have a highway of Heros here in Canada, this brought that to mind. Congratulations on a moving poem and deserved win. John Lawless July 28, 2014 at 8:02 PM Thank you Richard. I often dream of a world where there would be no need for heroes.

Pandita Sietesantos July 28, 2014 at 9:10 AM Hi John, huge congratulations on your TOP well-deserved win. Pandita John Lawless July 28, 2014 at 8:01 PM Thank you, Pandita.

Dr. Upma A. Sharma July 28, 2014 at 8:12 AM Unique take on theme John! U think so different,, that's what got u to no one my friend! Congrats on first place win! John Lawless July 28, 2014 at 8:00 PM Thank you again for your support.

Arlene Smith July 28, 2014 at 6:34 AM Congrats on top win, John my friend! I love the message in this poem.. A subject I hold dear.. Hugs.. Arlene John Lawless July 28, 2014 at 7:59 PM Thank you, Arlene.

Dr.Ram Mehta July 28, 2014 at 12:57 AM Nice flow of the words, quite soft write, John. congrats John Lawless July 28, 2014 at 7:58 PM Thank you.

Joyce Johnson July 27, 2014 at 11:23 PM A great write on a somber subject and a great win Love, Joyce John Lawless July 28, 2014 at 7:58 PM Joyce, I wrote this on the fourth of July. We celebrate independence day and too often forget its cost.

Kelly Deschler July 27, 2014 at 7:39 PM Your poem was so powerful and very moving, John.... I loved the smooth flow of the words. Excellent write! Congratulations on your first place win! John Lawless July 27, 2014 at 9:17 PM Kelly, thank you for the time and effort you put into sponsoring the contest, for you kind words and placement.

Jack Horne July 5, 2014 at 3:58 PM powerful write indeed - a sure winner in the contst John Lawless July 27, 2014 at 9:18 PM Well, Jack, it seems you called this one 22 days ago. Thanks for your support.