Many moons ago -
A boys school in Northern England
The Morning Role Call.
Names are bellowed with a haughty distain
followed by a subdued: 'Here sir.'
"Andrews
Ashforth
Diamond (silence)
Donaldson
Bartholomew
Bloggs
Bracegirdle
Ingram
Higgins
Jones"
.......etcetera
Teacher in an exasperated tone:
"Diamond!" - more awkward silence;
some tittering from the back row.
I was not there
I had left for good earlier
but not before leaving a dead rat
on the Principles chair.
I never went back
not even to pick up and bury my pet rat.
"Roll Call"
Where are your
soft waves to drown in
when I think of you
are they withheld
and our names
suspended
marked on some
banal roll call
written on a piece of glass
in some cold cave
(LadyLabyrinth /2020)
Mendelssohn - Hebrides Overture (Fingal's Cave) Abbado
https://youtu.be/Jufn41KMU3w
When the forests are felled
By our swallowed words
Hungry ears will burn~
For an owl to say who
8/29/2019
Silence Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Silent One
Dust the stench of fear from bloodless heroes
laid to rest on muddied mountain path
forgotten in the depth of passing sunsets
remembered in survivors tortured wrath
carrying the numbed and hidden horror
through the guilt of living’s sunlit day
fingers tracing faces on a stone wall
where they knell to weep – but seldom pray.
Heroes – now alone – in endless battle
dread the clinging scent of lingering fear
Point men – first footsteps through a “mind” field
tremble as the soundless trumpets blare.
Children in a playground - playing soldier
denied the hope of ever growing older.
John G. Lawless
©12/30/2018
Who among you is named Clark?
"I am!" said the meadow lark
Who here bares the name of Pearl?
"I do!" said the eastern squirrel
Who's a mean old Visigoth?
"That's me!" said the lazy sloth
Who's the biggest silly nerd?
"Me!" said the bee-eater bird
Whose favorite candy is a Necco?
"Mine!" exclaimed the tokay gecko
Who forgot to wear a tie?
"I did!" said the dragonfly
Who wants to ride the teeter-totter?
"Me of course!" replied the otter
Who's been dating pretty Juana?
"I have! The marine iguana!"
Who has the most precious smile?
"I!" said the Nile Crocodile.
Who eats cookies by the batch?
"Me! The red-breasted nuthatch!"
Who wants this to end right now?
"Me I guess, an annoyed old cow."
Roll Call
______________________
I heard the final roll call,
saw a 21 gun salute,
as Soldiers stood in unison
for something absolute.
They came to say goodbye,
with honor and such pride
as they stood there in uniform
in each other to confide.
Another good one is gone,
a soul laid to peaceful rest
thanks and praise and metals
bestowed upon their chest.
The trumpets softly playing,
as the tears are being shed
the voices of friends and loved ones
the final words being said.
The Stars and Stripes of old glory,
being folded up with care
and gently given with respect
to the loved one waiting there.
For with such admiration,
they are buried with this honor
to always be remembered
Brother, Sister, Mother, and Father.
6/23/14
Contractual agreements with publisher caused DELETION
Watching the roll call of the brave and honorable
Remembering those of whom I would have never known
Their sweet faces fading from the winds of life
Never forgotten, their blood flowed for justice and freedom.
The remnant of what is left lives on in the faces of those who still fight for it.
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