Charles J. Ingerson

QUIETLY

Late on each night
the battlefield awake
recapturing the fight
grounds sadly shake

Moon-lit are darkness
matters not to memory
cannons roar in sharpness
remembering history

Soldiers line the field
uniforms neatly trimmed
no honor yet to yield
while numbers thinned

Respect in the calls
taps repeating oft
when another falls
quietly ever so soft

Do we but recall
so many to serve
fighting for us all
honor to deserve?

Yes many do deny
politics to pollute
brandishing a lie
freedoms to loot

Some want it not
no sacrifice allowed
this price forgot
into death plowed

Quietly I remember
those who gave all
early in their December
hearing freedoms call

Thus on Memorial Day
in honor I offer prayer
and my flag to display
respectfully to share)