Lest We Not Forget

The pain of many deaths of friends and family to absolve.

They made an order, general in kind, for flowers to be "strewn",

Upon the graves of all those souls, whose bodies had been hewn.

"No form of ceremony is prescribed" they told us in their way,

But form and order and honor proud they ask of us this day.

Though "passionless mounds" we face and gather, more there is beneath,

For our fallen friends and comrades lie in boxes under stone and wreath.

And the command of one forlorn and long gone, to aid those left behind,

The widows, orphans, friends and press, we are all to keep in mind.

The flag they gave their life blood for, and kept it from dishonor,

We solemnly raise above the grave and hail them for this honor.

Remember all that their "lives were a reveille to a race in chains",

As we guard with sacred vigilance the graves of their remains,

Remind all here their deaths were a tattoo call to rebellious tyranny,

They bled and saved us from those who would not leave us free.

Memorial Day, past Decoration Day, must well be kept honored,

Yet it is more than just a day from school or work, to be ignored.

It is for all those who fell before from ancient past or yesterday,

And it is for all those who left behind, for whom we also pray.

"Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds",

Let no vandalism nor neglect touch these sacred mounds.

And let not our hearts forget the deeds they gave in sacrifice,

For freedom comes not free, nor liberty without its price.