Touch The Wall-Vietnam Memorial

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Paula Finn
Member Ascendant

since 2000-06-17

Posts 5546
missouri

0 posted 2005-11-23 10:38 PM

Wind at my back
softly blowing my hair
across eyes already dimmed
by unshed tears.

It's hard to imagine
standing here, looking,
that these were real men,
boys mostly.

Now they are just names
on a wall.

Gone...perhaps not forgotten.
You can see that in the
faces of the people
walking here.

In the voice of the man
when he asked my son
"How old are you, son?"
Do you know what this is?"

See it in the way
they touch the wall...
fingers caress
tears fall.

Yet across the street
stand protesters
waving their signs
NO MORE WAR.

Oh it angers me
seeing them there
...here...
It's just wrong.

This is to honor
fallen heroes every one
honor their sacrifice
mourn our loss.

Touch the wall
cold...til your fingers
warm the name you touch
no longer a stranger.

Touch the wall
touch your heart
tears finally fall
as I walk away.

The Moving Wall was in Missouri this week. It was the most awesome, heartbreaking hour I have ever spent. If you can't see the real thing this is well worth visiting if you have the chance.

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

1 posted 2005-11-23 10:44 PM

Thank you for this, Paula!

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

2 posted 2005-11-23 10:48 PM

I have touched the seen
of this very wall,
stood where I might be
oh, this tall...
o'er names that won't again
stand...
but claimed the life
of this very land....

thank you, Paula, for coming through,
and touching us with what touched you;
reminding all that in-between...
is a fabric of life, and love, in deem.

This week comes a season for reasons long gone,
but still we celebrate the rights of wrongs;
and hold to ourselves some body, near...
and compassion is a right, we should not fear.

In a time of Thanks, it is giving we should do...
In this poem of yours? You've overcome the fire, true!

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

3 posted 2005-11-23 11:26 PM

Heartbreaking and awesome describes it well, Paula....excellent writing.
http://www.vva877.ws/the_wall.html

Ringo

Member Elite

since 2003-02-20

Posts 3684
Saluting with misty eyes

4 posted 2005-11-24 12:31 PM

I've been there and actually watched the most important man in my life touch that wall, and take pictures of the names. While he didn't shed any tears, and remained absolutely silent during our time there, The energy, and emotion were unmistakable... he had finally released all of those ghosts from his past. Luckily, there were no protestors to mar his forgiveness of himself.

Thank you for this. It is very much appreciated.

I'll make my own mistakes and sweet success
I'm not here to recreate your yesterday's best
One by one when it's done half the fun is getting there-

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

5 posted 2005-11-24 01:14 AM

Thank you for remembering with this wonderful poem and to Michael for that wonderful link.

Jeremiah Johnson
Senior Member

since 2000-06-08

Posts 1223
Brooksville, Fl, U.S

6 posted 2005-11-24 03:45 AM

seeing as how i'm in the Army currently servering overseas I understand the fact that you stat here all to well. Most people rub what we and those you've fallens names through the mud by protest war instead of honoring those who have died. And I've watched so of those die in our current war and the fact that people can trash what we do. well it pis.... well you know

I'm a dying romantic and when i can no longer write i can no longer live -Jeremiah Johnson-

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius

since 2000-10-09

Posts 13989

7 posted 2005-11-24 07:37 PM

I have been to the wall.
I have seen and felt the power it holds
I have seen, and felt the tears.
I have a picture from when I was there
that I believe will be the one thing that will always be able to reach in and stir a memory even when memory would begin to fade...

thank you for this, and for sharing it.

Paula Finn
Member Ascendant

since 2000-06-17

Posts 5546
missouri

8 posted 2005-11-24 08:22 PM

It was more than I have words for. Thank you all, and Michael, thank you for the link. Jeremiah, all I can say to you is thank you.

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