A WARM BREEZE BLOWS: A Poetic Tribute to America’s Fallen Warriors, Memorial Day 2015

A WARM BREEZE BLOWS

In springtime, towards the end of May
When sun rays warm the grassy downs
Where small white crosses march in rows
Across the Flanders fields,
There is a breeze that blows.

It whispers of the fallen there
Who fought and died in trenches wet
Or plunged in flames down through the air
Upon the thick hedgerows,
Through which the warm breeze blows.

In Lexington and Concord, too
Lie stones that indicate the place
Where patriot courage struck the blows
Of Liberty’s sweet song;
And there the warm breeze also blows.

At Gettysburg, our nation writhed
It’s inner conflict burst apart
Where brothers fought upon each side
In agonizing throes;
And there as well, the warm breeze blows.

Little Roundtop testifies
Its battle markers show the lines
Where opponents fought so close
They looked into each others’ eyes;
And still that warm breeze blows.

Beneath the South Pacific sea
Where navies clashed in epic fights
Lie many sailors laid to rest
In watery repose;
O’er them that warm breeze blows.

From Saigon to Ramadi’s sands
Kabul to Iwo Jima and
The Chosin Reservoir’s snows
Our bravest answered the highest call;
From them a warm breeze blows.

Around the world and ‘crost the sea
Where soldier and sailor have gone and died
Vanquishing our deadly foes
The memory of their sacrifice
Is a mighty breeze that blows.

And we who live because they died
Must carry forth the torch they bore;
It’s light of hope, eternal glows
A solemn pledge to all of those
Whom each the path of honor chose
Evr’y one of us our freedom owes;
And evermore…the warm breeze blows.

Image: http://armiesofliberation.com/archives/2009/05/24/to-you-from-failing-hands-we-throw-the-torch/