a poem in my pocket

Humid morning mist baptizes rural

community’s hushed burial grounds;

Church youth arise early to prepare holiday

breakfast in nearby park shelter;

 Hungry celebrants line up, awaiting

warm pancakes with smoky sausage;

 Friendly conversations intertwine; words

floating above steamy coffee cups;

 Veterans, Boy Scouts and bicycles are

decorated to parade down Main Street;

 Large multi-generational crowd gathers under

flags flying at peaceful cemetery green;

 Rousing song, patriotic speech, humble prayer

offered gratefully for one nation under God;

 Tearful memories stir when flags lower to solemn

sound of drum roll, taps, and twenty-one guns;

 Americans honor the selfless sacrifices

of military families and our fallen heroes;

 We remember that peace comes with a price,

paid in blood and bravery for our freedoms.

Salute!