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Ivy Rose
Senior Member

since 2001-12-29

Posts 1300
MA, USA

0 posted 2004-06-12 01:25 AM

I am blinded by the light;
yet it is dark, and cold, and damp,
inside this cramped and dusky space.
I am alone with my thoughts,
alone with all of my memories.

This light is blinding me. I cannot
see a thing. I am afraid, isolated, alone,
and I wonder how I came to be in
this dark place. The light flickers across
my furrowed brow, filters through my soul.

The light is strange and eerie;
yet I want to rise to meet its dance.
I am here, but feel lost and confused.
I remember a loud boom, feeling adrift
as each moment of my life swept past.

But I feel warmed by this light, too.
Shadowy silhouettes are not unfamiliar,
ghostly spectres or demons of the dark.
I recognize family members who look younger
and much happier than I have seen them before.

I am beckoned by the light. I feel like
I am drifting away from my earthly home.
My mother is calling to me. My sister cries
wiping tears from her cheeks, from her eyes.
She holds a folded flag in her hands.

I am rising towards the light.
I feel no sorrow at leaving this place.
I have fallen in a strange and foreign land;
yet I am reassured of my final destination
as I ascend out of this cold, metal box.

I am rising. Rising past my childhood days.
Rising higher towards a new horizon,
towards the light where war has ceased, and pain
has been released. I have fought the good fight
and never turned away from any battle.

I am going to my real home, at last.
To my Father's embrace, to a Son's welcoming smile
where I feel weightless and completely serene, and
where the blinding light no longer blinds me at all.

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

1 posted 2004-06-12 01:37 AM

I think about our soldiers and what they must face and I am so touched by this outstanding writing.

wordwizard
Member

since 2003-09-08

Posts 483
on the way to next world

2 posted 2004-06-12 03:32 PM

I think it's a pity that there has to be human loses...interesting write

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

3 posted 2004-06-22 04:11 AM

Kevo
Member

since 2004-06-02

Posts 466
Navarro County, Texas, USA

4 posted 2004-06-22 05:09 AM

Ivy,

Many here know that I would stumble upon this poem and have to reply. I am a devout patriot and former Sergeant in the Marine Corps. Your precious poem struck a chord with me. It pays such homage to my fallen brethren. The sacrifice each makes on behalf of sheltered strangers is nothing short of heroic, and beyond my interpretation of honor. These men and woman have left their homes, their siblings, parents, and their own children to never return. And, they did it for people unknown to them. This sort of selfless devotion I understand well as the creed of all Marines. All who serve, not just those who perish, deserve the type of homage demonstrated so poignantly in your majestic words. I am so impressed with your ability to lend comfort and pride to the idea of these heroes sacrificed. It does so much to lift them where they belong far above these souls still principled in devoted service. They have given their lives so that we may have ours. I just can't express in words how your poem touched me. Such depth and beauty. Thank you so much for writing such a cherished tribute.

One in spirit,

Kevin

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