Memorial Day

Those who serve and die in constellations of war
In barracks and ditches of war
Who have fallen down and then risen in glory
Among the ashes of the fires of war
I pray to your remembrance, to your sacrifice
My small and untimely prayer, too late for you
For the war did come and go
And took you along with it
Too late to warn you, to save you
To talk you down from your tower of service
That leaning tower whose imperfect foundation
Continues to draw in through its doors
The youth of many nations, you went
You served and you died. I remember you today.
It is a small act on my part, but my heart is in it.