Long Memorial day Poems
Long Memorial day Poems. Below are the most popular long Memorial day by PoetrySoup Members. You can search for long Memorial day poems by poem length and keyword.
To All Who Gave Their Lives
Far across the seas, they went, to keep this great land ….safe and free.
I was just a wee bit of a girl, decades ago.I was born the week of the Anschluss.
Hitler, mad with power, many Americans, volunteered to serve, many gave
up their happy lives and many never came back
But I tell you what, nobody ran around hating our fellow Americans!
We had parades and were a God fearing people. We never heard of a New World Order. Today…the entire planet in disorder.
I remember the blackouts. All lights had to be turned off. We had to sit in the dark. It was a drill, if ever the enemy were to come here.
I’d take my teddy bear with me. We would sit in the air raid shelter. I could only see the stars winking at me.
Hitler was planning on doing America in, also.
Luckily our nation’s brave soldiers, and that of our Allies ended that.
When evil men, anywhere, try to destroy our rights and Constitutional freedoms, we must fight back.
Now, things are far worse. We have a number of world powers trying to do us in. I rarely see gratitude for living here…the media seems to have learned from Hitler…just lie!
In the last two years, we now have weaponized government against all and raided homes., and break our rights.
Censorship was Hitler’s specialty. And is going on today. Good people are illegally jailed.
Criminals are not only freed but made into gods and saints!
I did not grow up in an America being told it is hateful.
Nor was I told God’s laws are cancelled. But they are in every way.
Life was so different when I was young….it was sane!
There is only one flag of the United States for all of us, no matter our ethnicities!
Otherwise, all those who died for us, did die in vain.
It’s up to us, to see that they did not.
Speak up when you see evil.
The government was created for your freedom long ago. You are not their property,
Nor your children.
The rise of anti-Semitism is growing. And lately, attacks on Catholic Churches.
A beautiful statue of Father Junipero Serra has been destroyed! These are hate crimes and should be treated as such.
Don’t be silent in your poetry. Marigolds and rainbows will not save this country..and if lunatics run it…then it’s on our bac!
In memory of all who served and died for you, poet.
Panagiota Romios
5/29/2023
My mind has been spinning, since toxin contamination
I have been caught in a web of deception and corruption
Searching the landscape, for words to describe this nightmare
The toxins sickened my healthy dog and I like an evil plague
I lost my home where I had been for 10 years, with no help
Evidence didn't matter, speaking didn't matter...
The tester got threatened not to expose my state,
for being included in the Ohio Train Derailment disaster
I turn to writing to survive, as I have my whole life
as I am still very busy due to the toxic disruption
The loss, the trauma, the pain and all I experience
The memories of wildlife fleeing with eerie silence
The acid rain that turned rocks, leaves and plants black
The flourescent orange slime on my tree in the back yard
The trees that died immediately, with no leaves in summer
It was bareness that felt like another planet
I keep working to move forward and pick up the pieces of a broken life
One day at a time, I take action and proceed to succeed
I do more and more, sometimes overworking, just to stay focused
So that, I don't crumble apart, all the while feeling so fragile
I will make it because I am a survivor in this challenging life
My prayers are with everyone in the biggest chemical disaster in our country!
Justice is gone, empathy is gone in this, we are on our own
I have a new life now, determined to create safety, comfort and peace
I still admire the beauty left in this creation granted to us
All this will affect me for the rest of my life....
With memories of my dog Bella , coughing and suffering who died this month
It will haunt me from scenes and evidence that I have gathered
But, sometimes we are put in situations to bring about new, better things
This is why, no matter what the weather or circumstance, we must keep going
I am grateful for what I still have and think about all the veterans, Memorial Day
Those who sacrificed for our country so we can have freedom!
Many things in life take sacrifice, even when it is very hard to do!
Love for our country and our fellow Americans will be the only thing,
that will restore freedom and justice now as it dissolves in the fog
Seek the light, keep your head up, be brave and you can be part of it!
Heidi Sands
5/26/24
Blessings!
My Dad Was Just a Lad
Part 2
He was on a brand new ship,
The USS Horace Bass,
The KEEL was laid in ‘44
APD would be her class.
With a crew of over 200 strong,
But for most, their first time out.
In the weeks and months ahead,
They’d learn what “WAR” is all about.
Headed out for the great Pacific,
Okinawa, at Hagushi anchorage.
371 Enemy planes shot down,
As our Fleet would vent her rage.
Then came those grueling days,
They called this duty, “picket line”.
The enemy must cross this space,
But heavy shelling is what they’d find.
There were occasional escort trips,
To Guam and then Saipan.
It broke the tension of daily fire,
Which was fine with every man.
Returning from such an escort trip,
A submarine blip came on sonar.
8 depth charges would be dropped,
Watch for oil slicks, on open water.
History was made April 25,
Bass had sunk a mid-size sub.
The only APD to, “git’er done”.
36 enemy, “sank” inside that tub.
It was the night of July 3 0,
Things were seeming very still.
When they heard the cough & sputter,
Of a crippled plane, out for the kill.
It caught them really by surprise,
Flying in darkness, fast and low.
Headed straight now toward the Bass,
Wanting to take its fatal blow.
The very last moment before impact,
That killer plane went o’er the side.
An aerial wire had caught his wheel,
Missing our ship, that “kamikaze” died.
One American killed, 3 badly injured,
More injured slight, but still could fight.
The Bass puts into Buckner Bay,
Ship & injured were soon made right.
They would be among the first,
Task Force 31 would find their way.
To take position way up front,
To occupy 'their' Tokyo Bay.
August 27, at 0810, Captain Flynn,
It’s official: Nagato admits defeat.
The last lone fighting battleship,
Of their Great Nipponese fleet.
Well now I pause to catch my breath,
Our young man will soon be home.
As thousands more hit U.S. soil,
So many of them, will feel “alone.”
Families were there, that’s true,
And friends, now by the score.
But they had not seen the suffering,
The deaths, and so much more.
* * * * *
Written by oldbuck to record for his
growing family, The story of his father,
and the brave fighting crew of the
* * * USS Horace A. Bass * * *
While I struggle to understand
the battles, the wars
unending shadows weep
for the moments
just before duty called
you to the front lines,
where you would meet
the last encounter
with courage that I could never imagine,
valor, gallantry, boldness
fearless as the weeping shadow
my heart aches from the knowing
you were young and innocent, fallen
now a soldier beneath the ground
where silent memories can’t disturb
the freedom found, the freedom bought
by your last stand
grief whispers, melting
away all the passing dreams
where you once felt reassured
by the promise of years
years you didn’t have, because time
left you alone with the battle,
alone in a war with timeless
shadows, fallen soldiers
lost wars, wars that mean
we can breathe free, be free
in the way we believe
the way we see – our hearts sing
because you gave us wings
as you flew away, an angel now
an angel gone from this lonely silence
leaving the war, the moment
quietly – as we cry
remembering, what you have done
oh my, you have gone
but what you have done
defines my life, offers liberties
I would never have known,
gracefully, you stood, alone
fought that battle
so I might know
freedom is mine,
but oh, my – NO
freedom isn’t free –
but how she calls to me!
Thank you, soldier
for paying the price for me
Thank you, warrior
for fighting the battle for me
without you,
I wouldn’t know the peace
that comes from living a life
freely, free as free can be
free because you paid the highest price
you gave your life so that I might be
FREE
John 15:13-17
King James Version
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
I write this for you far too late it seems.
That the day would come, the sun would set on you
was always just a bad dream, I'd conjure in my head,
late at night while laying haphazardly in my bed.
Of course I found it to be true
and it left me speechless through and through.
You were a friend to me and a Man of God.
You were tired of standing still, so you got off your log.
And when you announced you were joining the army
I was indifferent. I didn't beam with pride, nor preach against it.
I was a pesky mouse with a million things to say, but stayed quiet.
Just what in the world could I do
that would ever compare to the Greatest Sacrifice?
We can't even sit down and talk about it
that's what they mean by the Ultimate Price.
Just how in the world do I honor thee
when I'm convinced so thoroughly
America was in the wrong?
I wish at times I could be like a sheep
and tag along.
Hold my head up high
and see the good ole red, white and blue
waving majestically in the sky.
But I can't just ignore what my heart is telling me.
It's not about taking the day-off and having a barbecue.
It's not about kicking up your feet, basking in the heat.
I respect that full-heartedly.
But with the range of emotions I'm feeling currently
I can't even shed a tear,
it just wouldn't do these feelings justice.
For it is without shame and without prejudice
I mourn the loss of anyone,
not just someone close to me.
I can't put a price tag on lives,
it's just not how I see things.
It's a lie what they tell you, digging doesn't
always get you gold, just grimier dirt.
When someone goes we all point fingers,
but in the end it's only hurt that we feel.
It's a long grieving process, but in explicable ways
some of us just won't ever heal.
Oh how I wish to grab Uncle Sam's shoulders,
screaming, "Wake UP!
We've played your game, but enough is enough!
In the name of God, stop this charade!
How dare you turn a blind eye to so much blood..."
But alas, now is not the time for that - today I'm just sad
when I think of all the life you could have had.
All I know is that on May 4th, 2013 war took her course
and swallowed up one of this world's last great remaining stars.
It's a comfort to me, however minuscule,
that I see your smile on the faces of many,
so you can't be all that far.
Aah... how great the taste of water...
After lounging in bed until
late morning/early afternoon
we (the missus and I) felt restless
as garden variety buffoon
or think chrysalis itching
to escape encased within cocoon
nevertheless, she mustered hubby
long since retired dragoon
late morning/early after light
clothing he must post haste festoon
he protested against testing
comfort zone merely donning galloon
his self conscious morphology
declaimed repeating honeymoon
embarrassing circumstance,
when caricature artist accentuated
pitiful spindle shanks published
front page see national lampoon
most recent issue or possibly
toothpick legs ought be printed June
a boot six days hence excluding
counting Memorial Day 2020
whereby barenaked ladies
(spouse included) unwittingly ironically,
farcically, and comically forced
skinny dipping under full moon
after newly bride & groom
pledged troth unwittingly nudist beach
entered momentarily devoid
of swimmers, who suddenly at noon
witnessed madding crowd
momentarily oblivious to laughingstock,
one after another burst out guffawing
(at my expense) at picayune
sorry/lame excuse for male
adult *****sapiens peculiar physique
courtesy anorexia nervosa
(when thirteen years old), I caused ruin
permanently stunting psychological
and physical characteristics,
for better part of existence
(mein kampf) uttered lamentable tune.
Absolute zero self worth (the
big goose egg) matter of fact will
state being earnest and frank
going on walk thru Schwenksville
thought person in every
passing vehicle (quite brisk traffic) rill
lee mocked appearance when
espying long haired pencil neck
geek fortunately blessed with
few gray strands deliberately colored via quill
to ad some convincing heft
to boyish good looks, though mill
stone metaphor linkedin with
living little approaching over hill
soon petering into becoming old
and senile, nope never got fill
of teenage romance, I started
dating during early twenties
deterrents to integrate among
including sounding think duckbill
nasal honking, and even hot spell
temps spiking high eighties/
low nineties dressed head
to foot ready for big chill,
especially cuz dehydration less likely.
CHAPTER 7b (Ipiki, continued)
Which had shared their lofty tree-nest
Now the bats abruptly vanished
But for one unlucky creature
Which the hunting snake now swallowed
And, its scaly torso flexing
Disappeared into the foliage
Which regained its normal greenness.
One black leaf however drifted
Gently down onto the sleeping
form of Matto, who now waking
Saw this gossamer-like object
Resting on his naked midriff
Soft as air and light as moonbeam
Black as night, now slowly stirring
Matto took it very carefully
In his hand and looked more closely
"It's a baby bat", said Kwona
As the family huddled round him
Then the dark winged creature fastened
Tiny claws round Matto's finger
Han and Kwona then permitted
Matto to adopt the batling
For a second time extending
Succour to a helpless orphan
So they talked about the naming
Of their Pipistrelle companion
He was cute and very squeaky
So they called his name "Ipiki"
By their keen young ears the children
Heard the language of Ipiki
But their parents could perceive no
Inkling of his high-pitched chirping
Matto made himself a necklace
Woven out of fibrous fern fronds
From the necklace hung Ipiki
Sleeping as they walked in daytime
Then, since bats are nighttime mammals
He would wake up in the evening
Matto fed him grubs and insects
Which Ipiki snapped up gladly
After several days, at sunset
As the bat bestirred, it spread its
Filmy wings and fluttered skyward
Circled several times near Matto
Then crash-landed in the bushes
And his maiden flight was ended
But the bat grew fast and strengthened
Gaining skill and flying further
Matto found that soon Ipiki
Had no need of finger-feeding
With his bat acoustic senses
He could capture flying insects
In the darkness. Thus at nighttime
As the family ate together
And retired up to their tree-nest
Then Ipiki would awaken
Stay some moments as the children
Cradled him between their fingers
Then would flutter through the night air
Circling round their tree encampment
Keeping up a kind of vigil
Near the family through the night hours
And from that time on they suffered
Less and less from biting insects
I’m trying my best to figure it out
but i don’t know how to solve these problems with inadequate equations
What happen when friends cared about my well being
My entourage can all fit in one car now
You should’ve seen us
friends before enemies are dying
It seems as if we lost the war
I guess that’s more important than my ancestry existence
Currently still incomplete on who I’m voting for
Who told the boy he was a man
Taking a stand
Stabbed in both hands
Look at his dangling head
So many strangers broke bread
But lead the opposition where I’m laying in bed
Chess with the clock got me staying ahead
Things run through my mental as I cloud my brain to forget
I can’t explain my life to my jit
If I was to die tomorrow
I’m sure that I played my guitar one last time
I contacted friends of mind
Relay my dreams and shine
Deny my calls when you around people who doubted me
Conversations about the king
You switched sides on me
24 I can die like Kobe
I have no since jumping over the jump man
Sunday service with uncle Muhammad
As a unit separate into couples
with goals that caused us to distance ourselves from problems that’s not acknowledging the toxic
Without sense I drink
Without cents I drink
Cloud my life away to think
Black and mild my life away to mello
I see 7 in one of the biggest cities
My mother passed away she was murdered it still stuck with me
Her throat was slit
They said she was a crack fein
They only counted sins
So I’m blue
I Mac millions but I should change my name after you
The pastor to cruel
If I pass away
The master may have a chance to tell me my true purpose
I really wanna die but I’m
Nervous
I have to be here
Hearing the unfaithful
Stay and wait for shoes
Or make the shoes
Lay my tools on a scale embarrassed on what to wear to the event where everyone stare
based on outfits you choose
That evening I didn’t express my voice
I’m a boy and a elder without his certification
I’m so perfect I didn’t notice satan had a red dress and she claimed to be a princess
I’ve been stressed
Since friends of mine died
I’m still alive
That’s a plus
I must go now
On my journey to be more alive
Spending an entire weekend
with one of your best friends
is a treat onto itself,
but spending an extended weekend
with the same friend
is even better...
******************************************************
Drew had come over, with his parents,
to get a haircut and enjoy some conversation.
Before they had a chance to leave,
he was talked into staying the night.
We spent it lounged on basement couches
enjoying our viewing of Spartacus.
******************************************************
The next morning,
we reenacted historical skirmishes,
with a bit of artistic license,
until it was time to accompany my mom
to a friend's cookout.
We enjoyed the usual fare of burgers & hotdogs
as we quizzed one another on random movie trivia.
Although we weren't all too athletic,
Drew and I played a few games of pickup football
with a group of kids we'd never met before,
before retiring to my place for the night.
*****************************************************
Sunday was set aside for camping,
the original reason Drew and I were
supposed to hang out.
My parents took us to one of my favorite spots,
Kennerdell,
where we delighted in swimming in the creek,
hiking the trails,
and watching Return of the King.
*****************************************************
A copy of Wedding Crashers
kept us entertained on the drive back home.
After dropping Drew off at his house;
back to his temporarily estranged family,
it was time for me to finish,
and begin,
work on my D.A.R.E. project.
I finished pretty quickly
& spent the evening thinking about
how wonderful of a Memorial Day Weekend
it had been
in the company of one of my best friends.
Memorial Day – 2023... origin of holiday
Strong and brave men and women
gave their level best
crème de la crème strongest and bravest
leaving grieving significant others
with emotional agony within treasured chest
o'er the redoubt the the enemy did crest
where lovely bones of forebears for everest
dead bodies strewn across killing fields
hostility among warring factions finessed
forsook their lives eternal peace they rest
honored and revered succumbed mortal
electric kool-aid acid test
though I question if sacrificed life
worth a spit of land to wrest.
Now pardon ma faux pas
from dis po' pa try'n 2b sleek
line six starting here necessitated minor tweak
a reasonable rhyme rhyme,
where sense and sensibility weak
Officially called Decoration Day
proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan
first observed on 30 May 1868
Waterloo N.Y. officially declared the birthplace
by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966.
though seven and nine tenths score years
since (minor emendation regarding time frame
since original date I crafted poem)
Appomattox, a psychological balm
helped stitch frayed nation to calm
served as silent psalm
since bombardment at Fort Sumter qualm.
National holiday most adept
at uniting Civil War fallen soldiers
when fiercely armed as brother in arms crept
against opposing forces, which took
by surprise “enemies” or found inept
ill prepared troops with surprise mortal
blow which ambushed attackers leapt
mowing down valiant soldiers, thus
becoming slain grooms who eternally slept
sorrowful lamentable hymns from
widowed brides tears wept.
Cease fire that day
terminating internecine flay
o’er mounds of earth whence
bones o boys donned blue or gray
a day of remembrance for those
who died in our nation's service lay
celebrated this last Monday every May
one must know tis not about division
boot about reconciliation
and sacrifice brave heroes did pay,
the price of their lives for granted
freedoms enjoyed as american lee-way.
Forsooth, now we cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.