Robert Ludden Poet Free verse

In Pacem

We missed it, Dad__
that last embrace that bonds
the blood of men
who always faced into the wind of love
and never knew its source.

So arrived the days in early fall.
We settled for a handshake then,
and after all the years that we pretended
we were close,
the words, like leaves, were also glown away:
weightless, dry and crumbling.

There they stood, two helpless men
without so much as one distracting tear,
who lied about the year to come,
and of those dear and fresh remembrances
beyond the day of parting.

You knew the last stop would be Arlington,
albeit not on Chaplain's hill
where sleeping comrades 
filled the ground you loved.
the slope beneath that crowning tree
awaited you.

So there it was, we heard once more
the sound of Taps,
the slap against the sky of twenty-one
explosions, and a young man's tribute
to an officer who wore
two crosses and a silver leaf--
who marched with his old comrades
years before.

Now as this aging son
who would embrace with spirit arms,
I wish you rest, old soldier,
there to find the peace 
you never knew in war...
the peace we shared that final afternoon,
on Chaplain's Hill.
           ~

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Carol Sunshine Brown August 22, 2012 at 7:19 AM A pleasure to read and congratulate you on your featured poem this week Robert. Love, Carol

Daver Austin August 21, 2012 at 9:07 AM Beautifully spoken, Robert. After all, as Schweitzer claimed, it's all about life! daver Daver Austin August 21, 2012 at 9:08 AM Oh, and Congrats on the selection.

Debbie Guzzi July 12, 2012 at 5:58 PM The additional information on the bottom is VERY interesting but confusing, where you left with positive feelings about the military? One last bit of general advice writing in the present tense helps draw the reader into the scene with you. Light & Love Robert Ludden August 21, 2012 at 9:48 AM It should not have been there. It was intended for another poem. Sorry. Robert Ludden July 12, 2012 at 6:38 PM Thank you, Debbie! I'm chagrined about the typo. Will fix. All of your advice (and mild criticism) is VERY much appreciated. And, though my attitude toward the military is never positive. I do generally agree about the preference of present tense. In this piece, reflection about the past seemed to be relevant. Please do react to still more. I would consider it an honor.

Debbie Guzzi July 12, 2012 at 5:57 PM Hi there new nice poet..some folks here nicknamed me HM [Head Mistress LOL] so here goes right of the bat watch out for the word [that] most times it is unnecessary for the meaning of the sentence and other times yoou really want [which]. Line 10 check [glown], maybe [grown] Excellent line [the slap against the sky]

Rachel St.Cross July 7, 2012 at 2:50 PM ‡ I Must Say That I Absolutely Loved The Quality, Meaning & Depth Amid This Exquisite Piece In Artful Verse, My New Found Friend * As Much As I Am Looking Forward Even More So Now Unto Your Tasteful I Am Certain, Eroticism's Poe * Also, Enjoyable May Be All Else It Seems I May View From Your Depthful & Gifted Brush * I Could Journey Into An Opposites Thought In Re This Moment Yet, Beauty Is Beauty & Should Be Savored * My Luv, Rachel ‡ Robert Ludden July 7, 2012 at 3:19 PM Thank you, Rachel. You are too kind to me, though I'll admit that I look forward to more of your comments as we go along.