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So thankful for our veteran's. I will take some time on Friday thinking about our country and those that serve and sacrifice in my nation's military. The poem below is at the wonderful Poetry Outloud website. I love how Poetry Outloud gives life to poetry through young people's voices.
At the Vietnam Memorial
by George BilgereThe last time I saw Paul Castle
it was printed in gold on the wall
above the showers in the boys’
locker room, next to the school
record for the mile. I don’t recall
his time, but the year was 1968
and I can look across the infield
of memory to see him on the track,
legs flashing, body bending slightly
beyond the pack of runners at his back.
He couldn’t spare a word for me,
two years younger, junior varsity,
and hardly worth the waste of breath.
He owned the hallways, a cool blonde
at his side, and aimed his interests
further down the line than we could guess.
Now, reading the name again,
read the rest of the poem here
Thanks for sharing this, Linda. It's not a poem I'd come across before, but very appropriate for the day, which we call Remembrance Day here in Australia.
ReplyDeleteSuch a poignant poem, Linda. Visiting the Vietnam Memorial was a sobering experience I'll never forget. I'm so thankful for all our veterans!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thank you for this poem. I wrote recently about viewing my grandfather's name at a WWII veteran's memorial, and there is something so powerful about seeing a name in stone. It's so important to remember. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLinda, thanks for the opportunity to read a poem that brought back memories of standing in front of the Vietnam Memorial. Vietnam was such a sad time in US history.
ReplyDeleteMy dad was in Vietnam, but he came home. Twice. I was born while he was gone. I feel for all those who didn't get to hold their new children after returning, like my dad. Great poem.
ReplyDeleteLovely sharing, Linda. I visited the memorials last year with students, found some of my family members' names, gave thanks for their sacrifice and service. Thank you for sharing this poem, giving a thought to the glory of this young man before his future arrived.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to take the time to stop and consider, Linda.
ReplyDeleteA perfect poem for this Veteran's Day, Linda - we owe our gratitude.
ReplyDeleteWe celebrate Remembrance Day in Canada on November 11th (similar to your Veterna's Day). I love poems like the one you share for the way they bring the day into personal experience for 21st century readers.
ReplyDeleteAppreciations, dear Linda.
ReplyDeleteWe have our American flag out, in honor.
I always look at my dear Dad's Fort Dix photo on Memorial Day & Veteran's Day, on the wall all the time but it's like a shrine at these times.
He loved to tell me stories about his drill sgt. days!
my best,
Jan
Poignant.
ReplyDeleteLovely poem. The last image is powerful.
ReplyDeleteWow! I missed this one last week!
ReplyDelete