Randy E. Richmond

MEMORIAL DAY, 2009

In the vineyards of the vanquished
Of this year two-thousand nine
Once again, a bumper crop
Hangs heavy on the vine

Yet, empty is the harvest
That all is left for seed
As is the wound re-opened
That can no longer bleed

This day has been to honor those
For their sacrifice and pain
Those who gave their lives in time of war
For great or modest gain

Do we not now owe each memory
Who paid that awful price
Each new face behind each tiny flag
The promise to think twice?

Before committing land to plow
In which new seed to sew
If it doesn’t serve a greater good
Why then one more marble row?

But only history defines the righteous
From those who’ve pissed into the wind
They’ll meet on both sides of this hallowed ground
Next year… too late to death rescind

Well, there you are my friends and brothers
I’ve sung this year’s sad song
To wait once more the promised peace;
Dear God, can that be long?