The Sun Was Setting
the sun was setting
motorcycles were coming in as strays
it was a gathering of eagles
the parking lot fills before the sun
has disappeared into the horizon
another red-to-orange day's ending
in the Arizona sky
due to absorption-specific light frequencies
why the sky is blue and not violet
eyes' blue rods aid in the deception
small groups wandered the lot
waiting for further instructions
eagles prominent upon patched-filled vests
leather to denim decorated in personalities
patches of every flavor statement exposed
death before dishonor
two words one finger
medicated for your protection
never ride faster than your angel can fly
we were waiting for instructions
from commanders, airport, and military
this wait centered on a plane
that was carrying a fallen soldier
home to his family from Afghanistan
they are called Angel Flights
they possess the number one authority
while in the air coming home
all air traffic must yield to this flight
even Air Force One must pause
there would be a short ceremony
before the fallen soldier
is officially released to the family
we were there to see to it
the body and family were escorted
a long line of single headlights behind
three in front
to the funeral home, stand guard
as family and friends
gathered in their mourning
then disappear into the night
we would return in the morning
to escort the body and family
to the church where all would come
and pay their respects
we would stand guard until it was time
to move the mourners and family
to the last ceremony which would be
at the gravesite where
we would stand with flags
the military would present a flag
to the family and a gun salute
escorting along the highway
cars would pull to the curb
exit, salute as we passed
times children with flags stood
hands-on their hearts
at the ceremony's end, we leave
it is that ride home
where any anger one has
with political musings
is quelled in the knowing
no matter what the streets complain about
America in the end is living on a path
where all is where it should be
when we honor those who have served
so we all may pursue the dream
while we will never achieve perfection
we are the shining city on a hill
why the world seeks our shores
why the Patriot Guard is there
to remember the fallen
and guarantee all goes according
to the respect it deserves
a mission we have never failed in
OKC 7/22
Copyright © Timothy Ray | Year Posted 2022
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment