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jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

0 posted 2019-01-04 06:57 PM

TAPS

This time last year
I stood with him
saluting our flag
while he squeezed
his eyes tightly shut
and in broken voice
called the names
of friends he'd lost . . .
oh Michael, Terry,
George, Richard,
and Luther,
my dearest friends . . .
why you instead of me.
The flag reached the eagle
atop the pole,
hesitated, paused,
lowered to half-mast,
and a clear-toned horn
sang the mournful notes
of longing for those
we'd lost in war.

My dad looked at me,
my uniform perfectly pressed:
Don't ever bring that song
home to me, he said.

Don't ever
bring that song . . .

home.
.
.
.

© wesley james beard, jr.

[This message has been edited by jwesley (01-04-2019 11:24 PM).]

Bluesy Socrateaser
Member Elite

since 2002-11-07

Posts 2417
In The Mirror

1 posted 2019-01-04 09:42 PM

What he brought home, some left where they found it...or where 'it' found them.

I have some experience with this j, but
that experience has only reinforced in me
that each of us processed our experiences
in ways unique to ourselves.

I suspect there were many things you were never told.

Great post.

...just bein' Bluesy

augustsky
Senior Member
Posts 828
midwest US

2 posted 2019-01-04 11:15 PM

J..Your mind & heart coreoperated in such
a way to bring this write to a state of Grace.

Excellent work Poet!
Sky~

~Don't Quit Your Day Dream~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius

since 2009-10-10

Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

3 posted 2019-01-05 05:35 AM

Jimmy,
You have such a way with words...and they have a way of painting a picture. This one feels like a watercolor to me, with dramatic undertones. I am always moved by your artistry. ~L

Poet In Pink
Senior Member
Posts 1066
MI

4 posted 2019-01-06 11:25 PM

J this brings tears to my eyes as I read. Having had family members that served and that were lost ~ this really touches my heart deeply. Thank you for sharing
Alana

Clare Ite
Member
Posts 66
Where The Pallet Pins Play

5 posted 2019-01-07 02:04 PM

Sad, yet all too real for so many fathers, mothers, and families. What we do to ourselves to feel safe. It's never enough.

I always have time for you...

Paul Wilson

Member Elite

since 2002-07-07

Posts 4711
United States

6 posted 2019-01-08 02:28 AM

James...Sadly many parents, wife's and husbands hear those notes of war. If only the senseless killing would stop. People say it's the price we pay for freedom, but that doesn't make it hurt any less.
This has to be one of your most touching writes...Paul

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

LeeJ
Member Patricius

since 2003-06-19

Posts 13296

7 posted 2019-01-09 01:34 PM

powerful

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

8 posted 2019-01-11 04:14 PM

So very, very touching, Jimmy, I loved every line.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

9 posted 2019-02-22 09:20 PM

I think we've all heard this song at some time.
Touches the heart.

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