...and why a poet this
day in Memorial Tribute...
…a day of reverence,
respect, a salute...
a quiet certainty… words
that call to the silence
words that pulse the
heart
praise be an expressive
joy
an embracing gratitude
ascension
the rising of
spirit
the glory, the glory of
the WORD in Memorial Tribute
beyond lament there is
love
beyond shadow there is
light
beyond despair there is
divinity
beyond dismay there is
beauty
beyond death there is eternal
life
Be this the freedoms
cherished
The lives in valor
dedicated
The sons, the daughters,
in service
The visions held for
freedom
The loss of limb, of
life
The willingness to
confront
The heart held resolve
The heart held resolve
Its ever present pulsing
quest
Humankind to live in
liberation
To be freed of
domination
To be freed of
oppression
To be SELF in expression
This the silent yet
resounding pledge
This the rising in
defense
This the Veteran in
knowing sacrifice
'Tis the vision of
freedom and valor within souls we hail
Homage, gratitude to Our
Veterans ever, ever, to prevail
And as we look to vistas
far and the heavens above
Our Veterans in the
embrace, in the embrace of God’s love.
Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York
