Waking to Sadness

Though I’ve often felt loss before,

It never becomes easy to bear;

As another steps through life’s door

I find it impossible not to care.

All the soothing sounds we make

All the platitudes we say,

Can't my quiet melancholy take

Nor lift the sadness of that day.

As my life slowly unfolds

I’m sure that I will always find

Wistful thoughts from days of old

Gently coursing through my mind.

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July,

Was that dreaming sorrow for

Those genuine patriots who died

To protect these nurturing shores?

So many of us have put aside

Personal differences, anger, pain

Because of our national pride

And not for any selfish gain.

Not for red states, not for blue

Did we fight and bleed and strive;

It was not for some political hue

That we offered up our lives.

For friends fighting at our side,

Living embodiments of our land,

That is why we fought and died;

That is why we took that stand.

During tomorrow’s celebrations,

When banners snap against the sky,

Remember those who preserved the nation;

Remember the patriots who bravely died.

© 7/3/06 by Thurman P. Woodfork