Memorial Day Poem #16, Veteran

Memorial Day Poem #16, Veteran
Veteran

Autumn invades the trees,
the maples surge red, orange,
sweetgums triumph yellow,
sycamores surrender gold,
heavy, the hickory falls brown--

leaves glittering like gilded fish
in cool shallows of sky. But
the live oak is patriot
of ever-green-leaf grandeur.

Sagging branches saluting battle grounds,
vacant lots, the empty square downtown,
moss-solemn,

unshuddered in winters air,
harbor from the drought, dodger
from the hurricane, quercine.

I remember that day in October,
my father stood on the east rim of the Grand Canyon,
the cold of the wind bringing his eyes
to tears as if he was remembering

the islands of the Philippines,
the copper mines of Hanawa
the Death March of Bataan.

Living in the woods of N. Florida.
Written from the heart by Ann wood, Writer, soldier's daughter

REMEMBER
REMEMBER OUR FLAG
REMEMBER ALL WHO PAID FOR OUR FREEDOM
REMEMBER OUR LOVE ONES
REMEMBER TO SAY
GOD BLESS AMERICA
REMEMBER

Written from the heart by Jack J Taylor
former Navy Seabee

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