I Know Where the Flowers Have Gone

I
In breathless spring when it's hot or very warm
we feel only love, loss, and some profit in May:
Someone knows where the flowers have gone

II
I will not exaggerate, suffice it now to state
you have given all: wafer and wine on sacred plate
for American Freedom, defined by heads of state

III
Yet, I celebrate your lives and deaths today
for, we know where the flower of youth have gone:
They have gone where sword, heat and cold stay away

IV
You asked no questions; not even a suggestion;
you did what we asked you to do, sacrificed all -
because you too knew where past flowers have gone

V
They say Jesus was crucified on the dogwood;
now wonderfully in flower this month of May
Be that as it may, we see azalea, camelia ... butterfly food

VI
Though the crocuses and daffodils have gone long ago
we do not fret, we do not weep for them unconsolably:
As the months turn, our sad losses become profit once more

VII
I know where the flowers have gone
We know where spring promises and love's kisses remain in store...
and we say GLORY! You come and go, go and come!