May 30, 2005
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"Memorial Day"
Poetry by Michael F. Nyiri
May 30, 2005
Flowers strewn with grief and tears
Hold a breath for freedom
War and pain, young life it shears
In our dreams we see them
Marching forth for victory
Shot dead on hills and plains
Raise the flag of thee I see
Hopeless pains and wracking brains
God grant peace in time of war
As young life ends in Memorial silence
Yet bodies fall without a care
Can nothing stop this violence?
Pray for young lives in the ground
Life missing, lost, right here, right there
And thought for naught, no instance sound
Will mankind 'ere wake from his nightmare?
General Order # 11HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
Washington D.C. May 5, 1868
General Orders No. 11I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or other decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and comrades will, in their own way, arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
In Flanders Fields
By John McCraeIn Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly.
Scarce heard amid the guns below.We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.On May 30th, 2004, I created my very first Xanga Blog entry. I planned yesterday to begin with a photopost of the pictures I took at the Getty Museum on Saturday. Then I would post something commesurate with the fact that I've been blogging here on this service for a year. I was going to ask my readers to see if I could get my first 20 comment blog post. Grand plans and designs, as usual. Yesterday I posted my review for the new Star Wars picture. A fellow Xangan has included me in a game of tag. So much seems to be going on, but this morning when I awoke, I thought not of Xangaversaries, or photos of Art Museums, or of lists of books and challenges. I thought of the thousands of dead soldiers littering the fields of Gettysburg, of Omaha Beach, of Korea, and Vietnam, of Afghanistan, and of Iraq. (And other countless fields in other countless wars, where Americans are not even involved.) I stopped for a short moment to shed a tear for the stupidity that keeps sending these poor young lives into oblivion year after year after year. I created the above image as a tribute to the soldier. The full size image can be clicked upon and enlarged. Memorial Day is an American Holiday, established after the Civil War, a conflict when, suspiciously like the very time we live in, almost half of the country disagreed with the other half, culminating in a war that literally pitted "brother against brother". Although the soldiers presented are American soldiers, I have deliberately not portrayed the American Flag nor Eagle in this composite. The poppy and field of flowers used for the background are meant to be a Universal Memorial to all the world's dead. Our friends and our enemies. Our brothers and sisters. War is fought for ideas and ideals, and it is the "young life" of all races, creeds, and nations who pay the price. I have always believed in peace, and in humankind's strength and werewithal to be able to come together and resolve the petty problems and differences of opinion which cause so much bloodshed on a global scale. I am but one man, attempting to dry my eyes of their tears. I bless the fallen, and I pity the living.
When indeed, will mankind 'ere wake from his nightmare?
Comments (15)
...War will never stop, mans greed takes care of that much. Even in the Bible it speaks of past wars, and wars yet to come (if you believe it, that is, which I do...^.^) It's sad that people have to die...and when you think of how people take their lives for granted--they never stop to think about the people who died to make it this way. Most of the time I take my life for granted, I'm not thinking about wars past, or current....but this day, as you said, was set aside for the soldiers who perished for the supposed greater good...The poetry was great, it makes you think...and the last line, will man kind 'ere wake from this Nightmare....held a heavy impact.
It goes on and on. In every generation. Destroying everything that it touches. Wars, even the most justifiable of wars, have shattered my family over the generations, as they have for so many, in so many places.
Should be "No More Day."
the young die at the hands of the old politicans fighting for what they believe it, but in reality it is a corn field, a pasture, and not really a place to die on a sunny day... the consequences affect us all, and yet, we watch a parade, wear red, white, and blue, and turn the grill on- celebrating the arrival of summer and the wearing of white season... thanks for the timely reminder! it was touching!
I discovered Wouk's Winds of War and War and Remembrance late but see them both as great storytelling and an essential story. Though Winds is surely the better "literature" of the two. Victor, Warren, Byron representing the strange different spheres of the warrior, with all the associated costs. In a navy story written last year I named the ship the "USS Victor Henry," but only one xangan figured it out - and that was after numerous hints.
Mike,
You are an extraordinary and wonderful person. I hope people tell you that because you deserve to know it. Although, I'm sure you know what type of person you are bases solely on your life and how you live it. But sometimes it's still nice to hear.
You're someone I will remember and cherish knowing for the rest of my life.
love, lisa
Memorial Day?
yours is a voice we all need to hear
the stories you tell are true,
and even as you write this
WE are waging another war
people are dying at the hand of their fellow man
in the insane belief that war is a means to a better world
I remember the bloody path behind us
I remember all the people who gave their lives in futility
hoping in vain that this war, this battle, this life will be the last lost..
Ending war forever
this memorial day will not find me
waveing the flag, grilling some hot dogs, and drinking beer
this day I will Remember
thanks Mike
Mike, Excellent memorial tribute. Thaank you for you comment and stopping by. Sometimes the words call out to us and we simply write them on the page (real or virtual) Margot
Mike,
Your words are so true! Well said! Your peom is also so beautifully written! Not long ago I was helping my son with a report. I found the site dedicated to WWI they had this haunting sound playing and of course the famous poem The Flanders Fields. OH! I hope my son never has to go to war. He once thought when he was very young in Boy Scouts that he might like to into the military. But now he 17 and says that the was is stupid and why would anyone want to give their life up for nothing. There have been many brave men who have given all for country. My father was in the Polish Navy allied with the British command and if that had not been who knows were we all would be now. I feel war is hell and wrong but it is and most likely will always be...... we can only thank those young and brave souls that still stand for freedom..... The composite work above is beautiful..... I remember as young girl visiting Gettysburg we had a history student guide us in our car around the battle fields and he told such sad stoies of how many had died and the families "brother vsBrother" it was so fancinating to hear that history not from a book but from the same bloody fields. Well now I'm rambling.. you are much better at the words than I am...... great post!
Thoughts through the looking glass
Karolyn
This year it feels closer to home only because I personally know those who have lost loved ones to this insanity!
My father was in the service - but never a war. Oddly enough none of my 5 bothers ever went to war yet two were in the service for many years.
I have a nephew who has seen gun far in the Middle East
I saw a young mother on the news earlier who has lost her husband before they really ever began their life journey...
This was a touching tribute! Thank you for sharing it...
I found your Memorial Day salute to be extremely powerful. Thank you for sharing it.
I found my part in celebrating when my grandson wanted to hear "Memorial Day Music" We played some patriotic songs, he picked out the songs on the tape that he thought were patriotic, (although his choice of "School Days...dear old golden rule days" was a bit questionable) We talked about the reasons for a Memorial Day, when patriotic songs are used in celebrations, etc. I think we must make the move to educate the younger ones in being patriotic and respectful in remembering the fallen.
Sorry, I didn't mean to use your blog as a forum to expound my thoughts and beliefs, but it is necessary to reach another generation.
Ugh, my computer is frusterating me to no end... my colors are being messed with and it makes it damn near impossible to read your words... I do apologize... and I thank you deeply for your comment, I will be emailing you as you requested either tonight or tomorrow... I just wanted to drop in here and see if fate would be kind enough to allow me to read you tonight... she's not co-operating...
'Dulce Et Decorum Est' as I believe I have said before. I love your poem. You say it all in just a few words.
Ah Michael,
I usually check email and take a look at xanga real quick before I go to work each morning. I checked out your post very quickly today and let me tell you, those pictures are wonderful. What a fantastic idea to photograph art and include candid, random shots of others viewing the pieces. It takes it to a whole other level. Truly.
Then, I read your poem and the text you wrote about Memorial Day and fallen soldiers. I actually felt guilty and a bit conflicted because I realized that I hadn't taken the time to reflect on the meaning of the holiday. It made me think a little more about it and I realized that I'm not heartless or cold or thoughtless. I hate war. I hate guns. I hate hatred. I've been to Gettysburg and looked across that field and been moved to tears by the eerie sensation of being able to almost see the bodies laying on those fields. I have a very hard time watching movies like Platoon or Band of Brothers. I do appreciate the fact that there are people willing to put their lives on the line for this country. They do deserve to be honored. See what you started in my head this morning? I suppose that's a good thing.
But, I have to tell you that it totally detracted from the great vibes I got from your pictures.
So, now, a few hours later, I'm on my lunch break at work taking time to write what I didn't have the time to think through this morning. The fact is, this is a great post.
Congratulations on your "xangaversary"! ~maureen
I mourn that i was not able to be online to help honour and celebrate the fallen and living servicemen and women of all wars this year, as my computer decided to go to it's own fate just before that.
But you have stated all the very same things that i had wanted to, and much more beautifully than i would have been able to. Your usual sterling elloquence i so apreciate. Your poem, Memorial Day, left me in tears. I hate war, all war. I know governments decree them at our great expense, and towards the ends of our safety. But i still hate war. An all too ugly neccesity (god that felt filthy to write). I long for peaceful days, no wars, no one dictating that my child, or anyone else's should go and die. But i also know that in times of need, when national security is actually threatened, if soldiers did not tramp the fields to fight for that safety, we would all likely be living in very different and much more difficult times. And the tears fall in that knowledge. As you say, will it never end?
i hope you do not mind that i offer this towards that end, as many have died within my own family to ensure that their folks back Home, and all our nation is safe. My dad fought against the Japanese, and was statoined at Pearl Harbour. He tells me several chilling tales that make me appreciate all the more the sacrifice of him and so many others. I may cry for the fallen, but i also stand proud acknowledging them.
Thank you Michael for this posting, it is beautiful in so many ways. Touching in so many more. Thank you.
Livin' In The Trenches ©
5/12/04
Scattered shots, fire in the sky -
A torrent raining deathly showers.
There isn't much fire to light the path,
So few left to fight the vile powers.
Nuthin' like a little 'friendly fire'
To let ya' know how much they love ya'!
Can you feel your way in the dark?
Or will death burn bright all around ya'?
There isn't much to this life, they say;
Nothin' but my honor and my skills.
They can't take away my pride anyway,
Nor can they touch my iron will.
If I live to see the bloody 'morrow,
I will fight this fight for the defenseless.
All my grit and honor none will fallow,
While I fight and live here in the trenches.
-humbly dedicated with thanks and gratitude to all our Armed Forces-
I wrote this with a great deal of appreciation for our troops, not only for those currently in service, but for all the past heroes, Living and Fallen. Too many go unappreciated and unrecognized. This is something completely intollerable to me, as we all live free thanks to the fruits of their efforts everyday. And few ever hear a word of thanks.
So i'm saying it with all my heart and respect to you:
Thank You Veterans and Active/Reserve Servicemen and Servicewomen !
~Lynxkatt_101
Then tie a knot with a loop that you can undo to hold the loops in place.