Memorial

More than never forgetting,

let us always remember,

which is not really the same.

The former, a way

of holding-on to the past,

with no clear avenue to the future;

the latter, a gift for carrying forward,

in  hopeful, and life-giving ways

the people and stories who preceded us.

May we reanimate the lives

of those whose bravery and sacrifice

are foundations for our existence,

with enough consciousness and courage

to differentiate between love for them

and revulsion for what they had to do.

Let waving flags and unwavering pride

never swell for the hell of war itself,

but for those who descended into its bowels,

by force or choice, to face the demons formed

when greed, godlessness, and fear overcome

the common bonds of all humanity.

Let one-eyed squints down loaded barrels

be not consumed by death’s insatiable appetite;

praying, instead, to commit the lesser of evils.

May our memories of those whose lives

were taken by war, in whole or part,

and those whose appearance and affect

seem to have mostly dodged destruction,

be one part filled with love, respect,

and appreciation for their selfless answer

to duty’s call, and another part filled

with the grief of knowing that we must

somehow find a different road to walk. 

2014-09-11

© 2013 Todd Jenkins