Grandson asked

Would be a better world if we saw with the eyes of the children.

                                    Grandson said
                               Memorial poetry

I stopped by the nearby location for the Memorial day celebration. There had a flag for every Soldier killed in the new wars.  I took my grandsons with me. This time with each flag was a photo of each soldier and where he was killed.

I found my three friends I served with. I stood by one of my friend photo lost in Iraq and I wanted to fall down with sadness. A older man came up and tapped my shoulder and told me. This is a sad place. I'm a Vietnam Vet from Holly, Michigan. I wanted to show respect to my brothers lost to war. I told him. I have three good friends here and I had to visit them. He saw in my eyes great sadness and he told me. We must remember them. We must live for them and appreciate every day we are alive. My five year old grandson saw my sadness and he asked. Why are you sad Grandpa?  I told him I have friends here. They were killed in war. His five year eyes got bigger and he asked. Why did they have to die in war? I looked at my missed friend face and I told him. I don't know. I gave him a gentle tap on the head and told him. I wish I knew why?

The man from Holly, Michigan name was Glen. He told me he took medicine for agent orange. He showed me the punctures wounds on his hand. I asked him. Was he alright? He told me I'm alive and fighting still. Each new day is a blessing. My grandson asked Glen. Why are all these soldiers dead? His mind racing with new questions. Glen looked at the flags and told him. I don't know.

Two soldiers from different wars trying to find peace and understanding with flags of heroes faces surrounding them. I did a silence prayer to the God of life and death. Please lord, please take care of my brother soldiers. Protect their families and please don't allow them to be forgotten.

                                Coyote/John Castellenas

Author's Note

Poetry for memorial day.

Reviews

[Pryde Foltz]

The man from Holly, Michigan name was Glen. He told me he took medicine for agent orange. He showed me the punctures wounds on his hand. I asked him. Was he alright? He told me I'm alive and fighting still. Each new day is a blessing. My grandson asked Glen. Why are all these soldiers dead? His mind racing with new questions. Glen looked at the flags and told him. I don't know.

The best we can do is live in the now, so past grievances do not lead to new and phantom future ones do not become the now. A very eloquent write.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Pryde. Memorial day is hard for me. I lost many good friends.

[Pryde Foltz]

Blessings ……………...

[sweetbuddha]

A beautiful piece for such tragedy. A great way to remember those who fell for our freedoms. An amazing tribute to all soldiers, and a remembrance to love those who died, but to keep moving on. To keep moving on with a good life, a happy life, so that they had died for something beautiful.

[Coyote Poetry]

Old soldiers have no option. We must. Thank you for reading and the many positive comments.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is beautiful...reminds me how much we need to commemorate our soldiers...something happened here locally that was awful...a particular graveyard where many soldiers lie...was completely ignored this year...no flags on the graves like they usually do...there was a big fuss kicked up about it...and rightfully so...this should never happen.

[Coyote Poetry]

We need to remember the soldiers. Here in Michigan. They do a good job. The Veterans need to be involved to ensure it is done correctly. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Shaquana Adams]

I was really touched by this poem. Beautiful, beautiful poetry!
-QuanaWana

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Shaquanna. Kid asked the questions we don't have a answer for.

[~Sarah~ Idríel T..]

Such a great poem, thank You sharing of it So We Can Remember Those Brave Souls.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Sarah for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[00000000000000000000000..]

Wow well said made me cry:) made me also think about my granddad:))))) I miss him very much. He served along with many but he was one the many asked why as well. I loved him he was a quite man like me in person but when some1 needed him he was there. No1 seem to be their at the end for him .

[Coyote Poetry]

I watched my father talk to dead friends when he was drunk from the Korea war. I learn his lesson too. War leave wounds that cannot heal. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[0000000000000000000000000000]

I'm sure you did, we must always remember all. Welcome thank you:)