Memories of
Sons
and Daughters
Sisters
and Brothers
Uncles
and Aunts
Mothers
and Fathers
Grandfathers
and Grandmothers
Great Grand-mothers
and Great-grandfathers
and cousin upon cousin
and friends
From every corner of the free world
courage
sacrifice
honor
They all gave and many gave their all.
This and every Memorial Day
Remember.
So many give in
and so many fear
so many fail, and never begin
do brick walls smash us
or do we hit them
of course it’s the latter
so why give in
we hope for others
so why not ourselves
it’s not like a fairy tale
and we’re all elves
dreams can come true
of that I’ve no doubt
so tuck in your lip
and change that pout
life’s no circus
with time to clown
so find that place
that medium of you
I’m sure you can do it
if anything’s true
I had a friend
with a wonderful voice
kind hearted
and generous
He sang from that special
place
way down deep
and loved sharing
I was not there when he died
all too young and left
a widow
and children
no words can tell
not a one
Would you
believe
something as grand
as beautiful
as awe inspiring
as a simple ocean wave ended
his voice
and his life
that … that …
so many enjoyed?
Another friend made an attempt to sing
as we said goodbye
through heartrending sobs he tried
and he was a visage to friendship
and to us all as we sat
and wept
j willis sanders 