Memorial Day. I have double vision.
I see the pride and pain of serving country.
my emotions rise to marching bands.
wistful. I think of my grandparents
and my father. proud that he served
by draft to safeguard my mother's womb.
I see the divisiveness of borders.
of children growing up without one parent
or children growing up not at all.
antique rituals of dress and flag.
people united in sentimentality of song
and experience and prejudice.
I see tradition lovingly passed on
in the girl on her father's shoulders
waving the flag. I know desire to honor
a lain down life and those who have survived.
special attention deserved for ones who served
as part of something bigger than themselves.
I see the never ending futility.
solution without ever resolution.
blindness thinking this is how it is
passing to another generation.
doing the same thing the same thing
strangely hoping the outcome a novel color.
I see the priority of defense
and the strategy of an offense.
the grief-need to honor torn bodies.
countless broken hearts. seared minds.
empathy for bravery on all fields.
thrilled to live. guilty of going home.
I see how many fathom nothing else
as if this movie's different than before
and must be played be played to victory.
compassion and respect are human rights.
we can take them back untying god
from our foolishness. our foolishness.
