Late afternoon rain draws a musty smell
from the earth after another hot day,
a backhoe moves earth, uproots trees,
a mulcher whines; a hardhat feeds
limbs into the whirling blades.
They're clearing more land for more
graves at Arlington Cemetery, to add
to the quarter million that wave
already with stars and stripes
on the manicured lawns sloping
down to the muddy Potomac.
Christopher T. George
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4 comments:
My uncle's and my cousin's ashes are being buried at Arlington next week.
A little ceremony.
WWII & the Vietnam War
I'm not a flag waver.
I cut trees down.
In small ways I am violent
& usually regret it.
I miss & honour my family.
There are always issues.
Vive la poéme et la diference.
21 (deirdre)
thanks.
Thanks, Deirdre. As I understand it, the tree clearing at Arlington is, as you say, to accomodate WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans, not for reasons of the present war. I hope the ceremony goes well next week.
Chris
My own family has ties to the military, WWI and WWII, my great uncle survived the Bathan Death March and years incarcerated as a Japanese POW. I honor them also, 21K.
Hi Ginger
Thanks for that information, Ginger. You are understandably proud of the military service and sacrifices of your family.
Chris
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