Memorial Day

He was young, maybe nineteen
With ruddy face and dreams.
Never realizing he could die.

A Father and Mother agonize
every time the phone rings...
a car passing by...

His thoughts are filled with hope...
and home.

She is well trained in chemicals and IV's...
as they bring him in...she sees.

"It's going to be alright now.
Just breath deeply for me...OK?"

"momma...?"

"No dear...just take a deep breath...
Please...just one more breath..."

She tenderly holds his hand.

He was about nineteen...
and beautiful.
She was about twenty-four...
and...well...
now she feels about eighty-four.

In the night she sits in the middle of the floor...
wondering about his Mom and Dad,
and wishing she could have done more...
but then...there are more.

Oh God!
Some die,
some must live.

May we live and not forget
the ruddy face
and the crushed heart.

You know what?
If the ruddy face could speak...
do you know what he would say?

"Please, enjoy this Memorial Day...and live."

xtnyoda shalomed