Shifting echoes fill the hallway,
Shadows move within the light
Weaving fear and grief and courage
Through the tapestry of night.
Here reflection comes to surface
In the images of dreams
Once a distant recollection
Suddenly a clear-cut scene
Of remembrance, ever haunting,
Etched in fire upon the soul
And no length of time or space
Can move beyond its seared control.
Though the heart would draw its curtains
Round this memory and abide
In the gentle breeze of autumn,
Still the ever-rolling tide
Can so quickly recollect
The vision seen so long before
In the far-off realm of youth
Held in the deathly grip of war.
Who can know the pain they suffer
Hidden ‘neath the cloak of life?
Who can touch the wounds they carry
Deeper than the surgeon’s knife?
Who can count their sacrifices,
Or extol the gift of those
Who, with courage far from human
Face the terror of such foes?
God alone can see the battle,
Know the hearts by duty stirred;
Understand the need and anguish
Found upon that foreign sod.
God alone provides the comfort,
Strength and hope to light the way
From those paths of bleak destruction
To that bright, eternal day
Where all pain will be forgotten,
Every tear counted and dried
Swallowed up in joy and glory
By the grace of One who died
That the souls of every race may know
The power of His blood
To bring peace and reconcile
Our souls within the Love of God.
*****
There are stories yet unwritten
In the wrinkles on their face
Heads of snow bow down in mem’ry
Of that distant time and place -
Of another world, soon slipping
From our chance to truly see
Through their eyes the untold sequence
Changing now in history.
PJT 11/10/07
2 comments:
I'm thinking that perhaps the PJT might be my sweet friend, Nina's Mother? What beautiful sentiments. Everyday should be Veteran's Day. We need to remember, always.
I wanted to let you know that I received a lovely package of treasures from Nina! (She is amazing...but I know that you know.) I cherish her friendship so very much. I hope someday we'll be able to exchange real spoken words and hugs...instead of just these typed ones. ;-)
Well...in this package...she had the sweetest words written on a beautiful handmade, handpainted card...of which she had told me was created by you. Now it's even more special to me! I just wanted to thank you!
Nina also said that you may need a few words and prayers for healing. I hope that you are feeling stronger everyday. My thoughts are with you.
Wow! I had no idea that I was so windy with my words! Now that I see it over there, it looks like a blog post within itself, doesn't it! (Nina could probably relate...and she'd have a good giggle!)
;-)
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