EDGAR A. TIEMAN

PATRIOTS' DAY

At birth they did not know
What their culture
Would teach them to do
Mothers, Fathers
Brothers, Sisters
Friends, Lovers
Strangers, Hero's
Children and Unborn
Did not foresee that day
Even at their birth
They did not know
This day would come
To become.
Victims and casualties
By a culture
So far away
That a day
Would named
A day called
"Patriots Day"

Now flags fly at half-mast
On Patriots Day
For those lost
On 9-11-01

©Copyright September 2002 by Edgar A. Tieman

TEARS AND STARS

Twisting turning
Turning twisting
Into a crumpled heap
An empty hole
And empty hearts

Candle light
Star light
Tears fell
Drying. Staining.
Photos and letters of love

Flowers wilt.
Drooping in sorrow
Now just memories
Of photos past
Stained with tears
From mothers
Of the new born;
For fathers they
Will never see

Now only there are
Stars and Tears
At night.

©Copyright September 2002 by Edgar A. Tieman