Thursday, July 3, 2014

Patriotic Poem

Last April which seems ages ago I won an honorable mention for a poem I wrote in honor of my stepfather Earl Blomberg. It seems appropriate to share it on my blog in honor of all those soldiers present and past in our families that fought to preserve our freedoms and the freedoms of other lands.



THE OLD SOLDIER
by Lin Floyd

He sits quietly, won’t talk about the war.
Memories too raw to reveal even after decades.
We ignore grandpa, reading quietly in his chair.
Forgotten he is and remains until the day,
we ask questions about the conflict for his bio.

Suddenly he returns, recalls forgotten details.
Those days of long ago: sleeping in trenches,
eating spoiled K-rations, watching friends die,
killing young Japanese soldiers––just boys,
hating an unknown attacking enemy.

War is never pleasant to remember, difficult
to forget as dreams and memories linger on.
Now we understand his quietness, withdrawn
within to heal from wounds of body and spirit.
An old soldier rests from battles that continue.

5 comments:

  1. Very sweet memory,and so appropriate for the holiday this weekend. We all need to stop to appreciate these brave men!

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  2. Lin, again you speak of humanity. Thank you for reminding us to listen.

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  3. I can only echo what has been said here. Well done, Lin.

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  4. I love that last line! So true for all who have fought in war.

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  5. What a lovely tribute to your loved one and to others who served our country, Lin. Beautifully done.

    I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July.

    Wishing you a great weekend!

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