Whmankeworldofwords's Blog

Tomorrow we will gather at the cenotaph in this community as many people will do in all communities across this great country.  We will  honor those who fought and those who gave their lives in the wars in which this country’s men and women took part.   It is a time to remember their sacrifices.

It is also a time to think what we individually and collectively can do to make war something to be found only in history books.  Individually we can purpose in our hearts and minds to be tolerant of others, to regard each life as sacred, to remain informed about the workings of government and chose our leaders wisely.  To think that six of every ten young service men and women lost their lives or were wounded in the two world wars, a total  not of  thousands, or tens of thousand or even hundreds of thousands but millions, must be seen by us all as tragic.   Collectively, we must stand on guard for the democratic process and stand on guard against tyrants and lawlessness.

Some years ago thinking of my personal loss I wrote the poem below.  I share it with the hope that someone else who had lost a loved one will find comfort reading it.

Did the Bugle Weep for You?

My father, young and full of hopes and dreams

Of life yet to be lived for many days thereafter,

Of your mother’s smile, your wife’s soft touch

Of your sons’ and daughters’ happy laughter.

Cold duty called you to take arms

To fend against advancing guns

Of men also with dreams and hopes

For their future days and loved ones.

My father, young and full of hopes of days to come. 

An evil and a senseless war one cold morning  slew

Your hopes, your dreams, your life still young.

At the end of that day – did the bugle weep for you?

(W. H. Manke 11-11-01)