Listen To The Voices Behind The Wall

I saw the face of bravery and patriotism. It is ethnically and socially diverse. It is rich and it is poor. And death does not discriminate based on any of these qualities.

It was then that I wrote this poem  — almost two decades ago. I’ve shared before but I’m sharing again. I believe it is important.

May we all be mindful of the fact that America is the world.

Unity

Eyes stare from the face of the black wall –

The children of many, the loss of one.

A thousand tongues become a single voice

That shouts a silent word.

Their strength lives in the grandeur of stone.

Their tranquility grows in the purity of gardens.

Their promise is captured in the light of hope.

Their pain cries in the shadow of nothing.

Their tears flow into a sea of white crosses.

Their comfort is the single flame.

The silent singers, though different, sound the same.

They gave their voices

So freedom could be sung.

They paid the price of war

In order to give us peace.

May we show the courage in life

That they showed in death.

May we strive to live together

As they unselfishly died as one.

May we honor them with unity.

#Poetry #seaofwhitecrosses #Patriotism #VietnamMemorial #VietnamWall #MemorialDay #ArlingtonCemetery #Unity