Memorial Day

 

Officially called Decoration Day

proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan

first observed on 30 May 1868

Waterloo N.Y. officially declared the birthplace

by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966.

 

though two score and ten plus years since
Appomattox, a psychological balm

helped stitch frayed nation to calm

served as silent psalm

since bombardment at Fort Sumter qualm.

 

National holiday most adept

at uniting Civil War fallen soldiers
when fiercely armed as brother in arms crept

against opposing forces, which took
by surprise “enemies” or found inept

ill prepared troops with surprise mortal
blow which ambushed attackers leapt

mowing down valiant soldiers, thus
becoming slain grooms who eternally slept

sorrowful lamentable hymns from
widowed brides tears wept.

 

Cease fire that day

terminating internecine flay

o’er mounds of earth whence
bones o boys donned blue or gray

a day of remembrance for those
who died in our nation's service lay

celebrated this last Monday every May

one must know tis not about division nay

boot about reconciliation
and sacrifice brave heroes did pay,

the price of their lives for granted
freedoms enjoyed as american lee-way.

 

Forsooth, now we cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.