REMEMBRANCE DAY
Remember them this morning, as the reveille is sounded
Its notes worn smooth along the years of soft November's rain
The Last Post sobbed their slumber, their going to the night
Remember them this morning, then, in thoughtful reveille.
The boys (no older than my son) who flew the frail craft
Have gone to distant glory in the threadbare album's page
They're peering at us from the past with shy and fervent eyes.
"Remember us this morning, in thoughtful reveille".
Sailors, soldiers, nurses, the youngsters set their hands
To duties laid upon them with many high ideals
Perhaps the question touches them; "What were we doing there?"
Remember them this morning, in thoughtful reveille.
They fought across the deserts, in the hot and windy hell
They fought in salty air that mocked of seashore holidays
The frosty air meant kites to some, to others soaring birds
They fought a world gone crazy - and they wagered everything.
And as we pause this morning as the clocks stand at eleven
Although the hour's uncertain since it's daylight saving time
Commit a moment's silence for the ones who went before
And say to them "We thank you for your sacrifice at war -
"We may not speak so much of you these cold pragmatic days
We will not seek the glorious in battlefield array
We treat with those who killed you, and were slaughtered in their turn
We sometimes don't appreciate the comfort that you earned
We sometimes don't remember that we might not be so free -
But still we will remember you in thoughtful reveille.
Be sure we will remember you in thoughtful reveille.
Written in 2000
