Hoisting The Colors

A nod to our fallen heroes

One hundred and forty eight years ago

Or so the story goes;

Rolling fields

Once gold, now black

Held the restless hearts of

South Carolina’s best.

 

War ravaged ghosts

Of every race, age and gender

On this day became lasting members

Tribute to something more

Than death’s dearly departed club.

 

Thousands of soldiers and innocents lay dead

Patiently waiting for goodbyes to be said

In a burial field they remained silent and cold

Soldiers, all of them

Some of them made

Some of them called

Honor and courage uniting them all.

 

For hours on end loved ones brought flowers

Prayers of forgiveness were reverently said

And God knows,

Many a somber tear was shed.

 

But above the ghostly cries and wails

Arose the most beautiful sound

For though the war had cost too much

Freedom was ultimately what they’d won.

 

Hoisting the colors o’er their dead

Red for their valor and the blood they’d shed

White for the purity of their hearts

And blue for vigilance in their duty

And the will to see it through.

 

Through starry eyed tears and songs filled with soul

A day of great loss shinned with fresh meaning

Inciting an ocassion worthy of the sacrifices

(freely) given by these fallen heroes;

In their departure, as loved ones said “Goodbye”

“The First Decoration Day,” better known as

Memorial Day, was given life.

 

This day is to remember and honor the dead

Let us never forget our fallen heroes

And the lives they lead.

Author's Note

I was inspired reading about the origins of Memorial Day. For more info on my source check out wikipedia it's a fascinating article with much speculation.

My hat is truly off to all of those who serve our great country. Thank you.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

that many years ago...civil war, brother fighting against brother, but both believing so strongly in their side...

even that war...something to believe in..something to die for...

we don't think about these people enough...i remember Nam...and yes, i protested the war too..but damn, not the soldiers when they came home...those people were drafted..had no choice and were doing their duty to their country...we should have respected them.

this poem has its heart in the right place.

[Kristin Lee]

I watched two children run up to a man in a wheel chair at the grocery store yesterday just so they could shake his hand and thank him for his service....it really made me stop and consider what this weekend is about. Besides my sister and friends birthday's lol. Then I read this article on wickipedia talking about this specific incident in Charelston on May Day after the civil war when African Americans came together, finally able to sing the songs of their heritage for their dead on the burial fields without shame or having to hide because they were free, and everything all of our men and women have sacrificed throughout history really hit me. I have friends that have fought in the current war and family that wanted to, I am always grateful for their service and their sacrifices and forever thankful that they are all safe.

[Sami Khalil]

Happy memorial day...A nice tribute and history...:)