Arlington Cemetery
Terri Lynn
Cummings
Grass lifts his
ear to clip and clop
Words swing on
soothing notes
wrapped around a
field of wounds
Throats, filled
with dust
crack under fight
for control
Taps takes its
place in last
stand around
mortal offering
blessed and placed
like Roman
coin on earth’s
patient tongue
Flowers unfurl
colors
dip their heads in
salute
Earth accepts the
iron surrender
Breath picks up
prayer
spreads it like
map for the passage
White gloves turn
flag into honor
Headstone salutes
stands at
attention
in long row of
perpetual soldiers
Poets Notes: My husband and I visited Arlington
Cemetery in Washington D.C. several years ago. We happened to witness a
beautiful and moving funeral which has stayed with me. This poem sprang from
that memory.
Editor’s Note: I have never been to
Arlington but have had the honor of being part of my father's burial ceremony
at Saratoga National Cemetery. Terri has certainly captured many of the
feelings and images of such a funeral and of the rows and rows of honored dead.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.