Day At the Beach
Sand and surf of Oahu.
Boogie boards and kids.
Feeling breathlessly safe.
Surrounded by friends -
strangers-in-arms safe.
Elsewhere in time and space
the beaches of Normandy
tell a different tale. Holding
their breaths - will they see
mamas and papas, siblings
and lovers. Bullet-showers,
thundering bolts, staggering
heartbeats. Elsewhere in time
and space, burning barnacles,
Sunday pages without comics,
surreptitious plans made active.
Duty calls, Arizona sinks, descent
to hell with the scent of flesh.
It is no day at the beach, as
each one serving the armed forces
travels to their various destinations
of explosions, ripped apart dreams.
We feel safe with strangers-in-arms -
not strangers to those who’ve served.
First we visit the tombs, then the wounded…
we remember…remember…never forget;
let’s not forget those who’ve given it all
even the ones who fought the day
the towers fell…likewise, that was hell.
Memorial Day, will we care? Do we value…
do we love…do we remember why
we are free…do we carelessly handle
our days…do we remember to thank God?
Salute the returning soldiers whether in box
or war-worn or serving in any capacity.
Thank a soldier for serving, for their bravery,
for serving, for living, for dying -
tearfully thankful - even willing to suffer
and die in their place…to place yourself
in their place…we go on because they go on -
as in the show must go on. Do you dare
step on the stage with those who engage
and ring the bell of freedom?
5/29/2023
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