Highway Of Heroes

Not sure

When they first started

Whether by word of mouth

Or by osmosis.

Entire families of ordinary Canadians

Line up along the overpasses

Flags draped from the protective railing

Total strangers to each other

Yet linked by a common thread

Which grows stronger

After each occurrence

Hoping it is

The last one.

Of a hearse

Given a honour guard

Worthy of visiting heads of states

And royalty

For a flag draped coffin

Flown in from Afghanistan

For one last medical examination.

 

 

Unlike our American cousins

We Canadians

Are generally more reserved

Expressing our feelings of patriotism

But burns with a fierce and proud flame

Neither the coldest winter day with a bitter wind

Nor summer's blistering heat

Can stop this.

 

 

First motorcycle of the honour guard

Is spotted by someone on the overpass

Those who can

Stand a little more stiller

Hush falls over them

Parents hold children up

So they too

Can bear witness.

 

 

Brief moment

Traffic stops

Cars pull over to the side

As the procession heads on

Many on the overpass

Are crying and hugging each other.

 

 

Last motorcycles disappears

Into the horizon

As life

Resumes its course.

Author's Note

Highway Of Heroes, is a stretch of Hwy 401, in Ontario, which was named, in honour of the Canadian soldiers who died serving, in Afghanistan.

Originally posted here, in my old account, but deleted.

Originally written, March 27, 2010.

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

This is well done, and explains the Highway of Heroes well. One tiny thing the its has no apostrophe in this case.

[therisa]

Thank you, KL. Wonder, if I shot the apostrophe, would it be murder, if it dies?