Shackled by Their Loss.
So many who have vanished on foreign shores, in jungles, on islands and in the sea to the machinery of war
We must keep faith with all who sleep without a grave far from their homes
Shackled by their loss.
)-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-C
To all my brothers-in-arm
who sleep in the jungles and seas,
mountains and islands
deserts and trenches
who are missing in action
or were prisoners of war.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | I have wrapped my care
for you around my wrist,
and have worn it many years
against my pulse,
which still beats strong,
though yours is long stilled.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Yet still I will wear
your cause, in stainless steel,
this brace- that -lets me
note your absense and gives
some modicum of comfort
and makes me realize how
fortunate I am to not have been
one of you the missing,
the unknown, the forgotten.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Like mis-carried babes,
eighteen years old and up,
your parents lost you
late in your childhood,
but lost you nevertheless,
after knowing
the holding of you,
the joy of your precious love.
and the awful letting go,
but with no body
to hold once more.
++++++++++++++++++++++ No closure, no grave,
just empty words and flags,
draped over empty coffins
and a smattering of
your personal effects.
how deeply they affected them
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It is for you that I wear
this bracelett and for your families.
They will bury me wearing it,
but at least I will be buried.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////// Your bones lie scattered
over sea floors and jungle rot,
in places known but to God,
yet duly noted
by many who deeply appreciate
your ultimate sacrifice
++++++++
]
© 2009 Matthew Frederick Blowers III
