[I wrote this after my Papa died seven years ago. It’s about his last few days on earth. He was a World War II veteran marine who fought in the battle of Iwo Jima]
Calloused hands that loved little dogs
and showed little boys how to hook a worm
Tremble now, involuntarily and soft
Armchair politician with a dagger wit
and humor more arid than the August Mojave
Forgets now, wets his own bed
Broad hard marine with a bulldog tattoo
and played keyboard for the church of st. waltz
Withered now, Hospice choir sings
First the grandson became nephew
the nephew a Japanese conspirator
The sponge was a razor
the nurse a war criminal
Escaped his cell block while sleeping
He always preferred the back door
No national day of mourning
No brash parade in his name
Just my hold it together sobs
The only sound left of another hero dying
Bryan Daniels
Beautifully written with a depth of perception many might overlook; yet you pondered and absorbed.
Thanks Cristal! Happy Memorial Day!
this was very touching and i could feel your love for him
Thanks Terry and happy Memorial Day to you!
Sometimes it is difficult for us to put into words the fleeting moments during a loved one’s final days…however, you have captured them beautifully! Bryan, it’s obvious you loved your “Papa” in a very special way! Your words here are so specific and they provoke a feeling of sadness…
Many blessings
~streim~
Thanks Streim! Blessings to you and yours!
Beautiful tribute, Bryan.
Beautiful
A wonderful tribute for all those that served! Thanks again for posting thought provoking posts.
You’re welcome, thanks for commenting!
Really special, Bryan.
Bryan,
My father also was a vet.
Thank you for sharing.
C.C.T.
You’re welcome CCT, happy Memorial Day!
Thanks for sharing this touching poem about a true hero. God bless and Happy Memorial day
Thank God for your Grandfather and those who made this important sacrifice. This Nation is blessed because of the volunteers like him. God bless this Nation.
Beautiful work, Chief. Very beautiful. Have you seen Flags of Our Fathers? Powerful film about Iwo Jima and the heroes who fought there.
Thank you sir! Yes. Excellent movie, almost too hard to watch with the close association to it.
Beautifully written tribute. Thank you for sharing, and have a very blessed Memorial Day.
You’re welcome and happy Memorial Day to you too!
My Papa….miss him so much! Thanks for making me cry again!
What’s a brother for?
The Spirit graces the keys on our keyboards today. Our “tatoo’d marines who loved dogs” were all heroes,regardless of whether they saw action.
Their memory walks with us each day in the Holy Spirit.
Have a truly Blessed and safe weekend!
Amen sed! Blessings to you and yours this day!
God bless your father, the battles he fought for us, laying their lives down for ours…following in the footsteps of Christ! Hope your having a blessed holidays Chief 🙂
Thank you (Papa was my grandfather), hope have a blessed holiday too!
Beautiful poem! God Bless our men and women who have served and are serving today. Happy Memorial Day!
Thanks Bryan,
My grandfather was a World War I veteran and my father a veteran of World War II, and I am a Viet Nam era veteran. Your tribute was especially touching and deeply appreciated.
Thanks Dr. J, and thank you for your service sir! God bless!
Been busy, but took a moment to catch up on your blog today. Wow, what an amazing piece. My dad, as well, served in WWII, in northern Africa and Italy, and his brother Michael died in Okinawa. Thanks for such a honest and moving portrayal of your last days with your dad. Your love for him is evident.