Tears Of Remembrance To Fallen Heroes
I can still remember each and every time I found myself keeping watch
Standing slightly off-center, reading the many smiles of my grandmother
Her eyes always sparkled when she was imparting wisdom
Almost as if an alarm went off, silent to everyone around her, expect for me
Without any spoken words, she communicated exactly what needed said
Despite the degree of the angle, those sparkling eyes always captured me
And as if influenced by some sort of loving sorcery, I was there, front and center
As a child, I moved swiftly and without clear direction, no matter where the place
In passing the lines of tombstones on Memorial Day, I slowed to get a better view
Wives, mothers, and children gathered in groups, congregating under shade trees
Their eyes moist with round after round of genuine heartfelt tears of sorrow
I gawked as if on a tour at the collective misery, not quite certain what to say or do
Glancing at my grandmother for a mere second, hoping for a sparkling message
The smile was a graceful reminder that some moments are not meant for sharing
Humbly I understood, and a rush of rawness overcame me for a brief moment
My pace slowed to a crawl, losing the energy of randomness young boys carry
I stepped off of the manicured greenery and felt a slight shame for disturbing it
My eyes cast downward, only focusing on the dark concrete walkways ahead
The soft touch on my shoulder lifted my wounded spirit and I turned to see
And there she stood, frail but proud in her eighty-fifth year, and she smiled
But this smile was just one of those old fashioned, “I Love You” smiles
And as I took her hand in mine, neither of us spoke. We simply moved on
Through the resting place of so many heroes and heroines, we walked
Fathers, Mothers, Wives, Brothers, Sons, Children, Daughters, and Friends
Their sacrifice something no measuring tool can possibly gauge
Remembered for moments and deeds that made the difference for everyone
My grandfather is buried here, his life given so freely, given for freedom
Tears of remembrance for someone I never met, but someone who so loved me
R J Schwartz
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Such a loving grandmother who understood the perplexities of a little boy. It is a very touching moment when you write of the sudden switch of being a fast little boy with aimless goals to fully understanding what your grandmother conveyed in silence. I love the line “The smile was a graceful reminder that some moments are not meant for sharing”. This speaks of a loving and beautiful bond between a boy and his grandmother. Great work, Ralph.
Awesome read Ralph, enjoyed it very much
A heart-warming piece Ralph, in remembrance of those who gave their lives for freedom, and of family and memories that forever rest in the heart. great work.