MEMORIAL WHISPER

Memorial Day launched its whisper to the sky
and another lies in wait on the mountaintop
beneath the bleached mass of atonement.

O! I am determined by our failing
to nurture the patriot tree
until we can climb near to God!
Near enough to ask,
“Is this your desire?”...

Near enough so that the question
needn’t even be uttered,
just near enough
to see the river’s flow.

O! I am determined by our failing
to nurture this; our flag-waving heap
beyond the gaze of God!
Beyond the flow of the deity’s torrent!
Beyond this; our notion of existence!

Higher! O! Onward! Higher still!
Carry them aloft! Reverently lay these;
our strident armed forces of war and peace!
We can have it both ways you know;
write our storm’s name across the sky
and climb beyond the stare of God!

O! I am determined by our failing!
Indomitable of our worshipful peak!
Joy filled by our divine reaching
to build, amass, pile, mound, and stack!
We’ll have surpassed the mournful eyes
and soon be able to look down
upon the brazen head of God
and declare ourselves the victor!

O! I am determined by our failing
to nurture the patriot tree
until we can climb beyond God!
Higher! O! Onward! Higher still!





© 2006 mrp/thepoetryman