
Photo from Chapel of the Chimes
laid cold in his prime
the blue line of duty
abruptly erased
service drawn to an end
orphaned citizens
sensing their loss
feel impersonal grief
in the skirling of pipes
giving ritual dirge
rigid brethren in rows
of white glove salutes
left to contemplate
perils of fate in the
moan and the mourn
of the sorrowful noise
solemn song of tradition
reserved for this place
its gray gardens of stone
grim companions who
welcome their new
fallen brother-in-arms
hero husband a father
and son claimed by
ultimate destiny
called to the sacrifice
etched in the words
of his long ago oath
From my books Small Noise and Legacies (vol. 2)
How hard it is to euologize men and women whom we have not known yet admired for their sacrifice; the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life . . .
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if anyone had the heart and the words for it, you did, I am sure
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Copy and past the world over for this poem, unique to one circumstance reflects the many similar ones across this globe – superb as ever
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well said, mike
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Touched my heart.
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thanks kindly
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My husband suffered a career ending injury while in the line of duty. So-o-o-o thankful I wasn’t widowed from it. Gifted writing!
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my deepest gratitude to you both – I am father to a policeman
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There are situations, like these, where I find I don’t need to know the people personally to feel the depth of grief. Love the word “skirl”, by the way.
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a good heart like yours will feel that way
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Empathy at its best. The loss of one a loss for all. Nothing sounds quite so mournful as bagpipes played on such an occasion.
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moreso for this always worried father of a policeman
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Beautiful words of memory.
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greatly appreciated
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Reblogged this on Poesy plus Polemics.
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Beautifully said. An awesome tribute poem. Thank you. Jx
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appreciate your kind words
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