armistice
Veterans Day is Wednesday

we set down arms
by the war
to end all wars
that
took so many lives but
didn’t work for what it was called
should
that have been a promise

and since the second
we have
though about the third involing
nuclear capabilities
and
how globally that should go

and so now what
since
Cain and Abel there have been
casualties

but then the wounded
and the experienced
who are
let go
to live
though there is living in the service
past and present
of the nation

and who was gone
and who is
here
to say
or I say
one day is not enough
for
recognition as in the fight for peace there
should be everyday remembrance

but we have this
of so many elevens
to begin
red
white
and blue for us
and the colors of the others
taking part
and I think who won is the bias
though
for soldiering alone
could
we take any to respect
and celebration

sacrifice
pure cause
and loyalty are ours
and
what
tones mean to others

we shall have bunting with arched meaning
from first attack to treaty or
settling
to keeping
and we’ve made our mistakes and make
them still
and
yet
today is for the giving
for generosity of spirit and of body
singly
and at the front
before and after so much
together

and now our unity
in country
and
in effort
to affirm so much more than well done
superlative to serve
and so much
and
not enough thank you

c l couch


photo by Kathyryn Tripp on Unsplash