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Open Poetry #14
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Moment of Truth
| Open Poetry #14 |
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Moment of Truth |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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Moment of Truth A soldier stood before the granite monument of names Like tablets sent from heaven, they were sacred to his heart For there he found in letters etched, a father and a friend Whose portrait has remained the same since they have been apart His fingers on the name was like a touch upon his face So close he felt in spirit to the Dad who loved him well Recalling days of happiness in early childhood His heart began to flutter and his eyes began to swell Then gazing in the polished blackness at the break of day He saw the sprawling lawn and trees across the empty mall Where he had walked in silence on that early Sunday morn In view of Lincoln’s watching eye as he approached the wall Reflections were so vivid in the mirrored glaze of truth The memories of grief that day no child could conceive In stories told of where and how his father came to die By military men of honor he did not believe They placed a medal in his hand as they began to speak Recalling all the sacrifices of the bold and brave His father was a hero and a martyr in the eyes Of those who saw him risk his life for all the lives he saved “Some day, young man, you’ll understand the word “integrity” For this one word describes to me your father’s words and ways And you will truly honor him for how gave his life This medal is your heritage for all your living days” These words that now came back to him, brought nightmares to a boy Who’s vision in the dark of night consumed each panting breath In dreams he saw not bravery, but suffering and pain His father left alone to bleed in moments of his death He placed his trembling fingers to the wall of black once more And touched his father's cheek as he had done when just a lad And there before him in the glassy stone appeared a face The soldier looked into his eyes and said, “I love you, Dad” Then suddenly the truth appeared, the names were all erased The Viet Nam Memorial became a battle ground In mirrors of the past he saw an officer his age Entrapped in hell’s own fire with his men in his surround He led them out to safety, then went back to those who stayed And carried every wounded man with tricks that he contrived To fool surrounding enemy and buy just one more hour Until those men who would have died, had left that place alive His father was the last to go with soldiers on his trail And lost his life within the blasting bits of a grenade His courage was so witnessed and his love was known to all In dignity and honor, with his life the young man paid The truth then known, the soldier wept and felt a bit ashamed Of all of the uncertainties he felt throughout the years The names engraved upon the wall appeared just as they were The soldier turned to leave as he was wiping off his tears He felt his father watching as he walked across the green Then quickly turned around again and faced the stone of black Saluting to an officer, whose medal was deserved In mirrors of the gleaming wall, his Dad saluted back Elizabeth Santos [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 07-04-2001).] |
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| © Copyright 2001 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Elizabeth, An exceptional work, Thank you for posting it Sy |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
What else can I say than that it touches me. Beautiful write Elizabeth. Titia A rose is a rose is a rose...I guess... |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Elizabeth~ Such a quietly dignified piece. Reflections in the tears of many. *Hugs* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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CocoBaci Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 3043 |
Oh my goodness dear Elizabeth, your poem touches my heart in ways I cannot explain. The last two lines just did me in as a kleenex wiped away the tears that trickled down my cheek... Thank you PoetFriend for sharing this excellent write... *~coco~* |
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Decaflame Senior Member
since 2001-05-11
Posts 1635 |
One would think that following Independence Day, the tears would be dry for a time... they are not. Thank you. |
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Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
Shame on you for not posting a tissue warning ... even for us guys. Too close to home for me ... I loved it! |
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Lone Wolf Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842Lansing, MI USA |
Deeply touching, Liz. All writing comes |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Liz! Thanks |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I read this yesterday, Elizabeth... but sat stunned and unable to reply. I still lack the words to tell you how much it touched me... whatever I say is inadequate to do it justice. Thank you. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Liz, I forgot to bump this for Memorial Day, and it deserves a place of honor on that day, for those we honor. Bless them all! |
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