Reflections On a Flyover For My Dad At Arlington

Above the clouds in many splendored hues of blue and white
    This view beheld by an honored and rarest few

A nations treasure lies below in marble and in green
    Yet no dome or obelisk could ever be this hallowed

Like a great bird it claws across the sky
    A meeting calls: a friend in need

Its mighty engines crash through the silent morning sky
    Its shrieks but music to all who know and remember well

The many come to take her place are fallen
    This Daedalus lives on to tell their tales and more

Through younger eyes she gleamed in sun drenched silvers high above the clouds
    Now bathed in grays she lingers on to battles unimagined in her youth

Lightened of the tools of war her peaceful mission now to do
    She’s come to pay her last respects

And as she dipped and turned away
    A sweet release and something more

A soul was taken from this world
    And carried to the arms of God

© 2014 by Craig McAlister

Flyover by B-52H serial 0060 "Iron Butterfly" at Arlington National Cemetery on January 7, 2008.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

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A  Avatar
January 6, 2014 at 4:43 PM
Craig, Your first poem on the soup is excellent for the readers!! Stopping by with a nice, sweet Welcome to Poetry Soup. Wishing you the best when it comes to your poems. I hope you get to meet all the nice poets around here. Starting with me. SKAT :-) Please drop a hello and tell me a little about yourself if you like. I would like to be your newest poetry soup "FRIEND". Hugs* SKAT
Andresen Avatar
January 6, 2014 at 3:27 AM
- Welcome to P-Soup, Craig ! - A well written and touching poem ! - Hope you will have much pleasure to be with us. - Wishing you good luck !! - (Comment on the poetry of others and they will comment on yours). - My first greeting to you from Norway. - I will come back to read more .... another day :) - All the best for the year 2014 ! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
A   Avatar
January 6, 2014 at 12:06 AM
Craig, a very heartfelt poem. Beautiful... ,, A nice warm WELCOME to poetry soup. Dropping by to invite you to my latest contest. You will find the contest page on the top left hand side* -Looking forward in following and reading your poetry. Hope to hear from you soon. You will enjoy the community, we are one big happy family. (Drama & Love. LOL) ~ Take Care!! From: your new poet friend @-> LINDA <-@
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