Today is a sad day in Blogtopia. We have learned, through a detective with the local police, that our dear friend Lurch has passed away. We didn't receive any details, the information is privileged for family members, but the cop was decent enough to give us that much.
I didn't know him that well, mostly through this blog and via email, but my wife and I feel honored we were able to break bread with him when he visited Long Island a year ago.
...What I know of his military service would fill a thimble, though I knew he served his nation with honor and distinction as an Army paratrooper during the war in Vietnam. Through his experience and study, he was one of the most knowledgeable people when it came to the workings of the service, strategy and tactics, and some of the best insight when it came to reading between the lines on defense issues. He was an invaluable resource as well as a friend. (More…)
~
I never had the pleasure of meeting the veteran named Lurch, but I was moved by Fixer's tribute to his friend and decided to write a poem in his honor...
a poem by thepoetryman
Come trumpet!
Sound off and knell eternity swift!
Another soldier’s passed these ramparts
To soar over honor’s homeless tomb!
O! Stay the curse’d wars until our comrade’s home!
Lay down the gun and pack! Stay the onward march
And weep for a brother who duly wept for you
As death rolled steel dice and bravely down you flew…
The churn of destiny waits on no one. It moves down,
Breaking the silence within us. It brings no gift,
Is noiseless in its approach, aimed and steady, it comes,
So stay the noisy battle and weep, goddamn it! Howl!
To fair winds and following seas a final jump’s been made.
Honor your friend in arms and implore and plead and beg,
And pray you live as long, and like your fellow comrade,
Bridge the void... flanked by war and humankind.
© 2007 mrp/thepoetryman
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