Those Who Wait
Black Phoenix

Mon May 25 13:07:57 1998
This is a reprint of a post made by Black Phoenix.  It seems extremely appropriate that it be reposted on Memorial Day.  Thank you Julia for expressing what so many feel yet can't find the words for.*p**br*THOSE WHO WAIT*p*Hear our Voices*br*See our Faces*br*We are the wives and husbands of those who served.*br*We carefully packed their bags, tucking pictures between t-shirts.*br*And stood tall and proud as they marched away.*p*Hear our Voices*br*See our Faces*br*We are the children of those who served.*br*We watched our parents march away and shed not a tear for them to see.*br*We knew our duty too, standing on the hot tarmac.*p*Hear our Voices*br*See our Faces*br*We are the parents of those who served.*br*We bore them, raised them, then gave them to you*br*With honor, love and pride in our country we gave them willingly, though*br*we knew not all would return.*p*Hear our Voices*br*See our Faces*br*We are the brothers and sisters of those who served.*br*Though often we did quarrel, still we loved each other.*br*Though many disagreed, still we let them go,*br*Even though we knew we might never see them again.*p*Hear our Voices*br*See our Faces*br*We are the wives and husbands of those who came back.*br*We are the quiet voice that soothes them*br*in the throes of nightmares.*p*Hear our Voices*br*See our Faces*br*We are everyone who has gone before.*br*We are the soldiers who marched off to war.*br*Standing tall and proud, we shed not a tear.*p*Hear our Voices*br*See our Faces*br*We are the ones who now march to war.*br*Children, grandchildren, husbands, wives, brothers and sisters.*br*With honor, pride, dignity and love, so we go.*p*Hear our Voices*br*See our Faces*br*Tho some shall ne'er come home again,*br*Yet always do we live in your hearts*br*and in the laughter of children on a sunny day.*p*Hear our Voices*br*See our Faces*br*We are their children.*br*See us now in the solitary image of a child,*br*standing at attention, silently saluting his fathers grave.*br*One last goodbye we say.*p*Hear our Voices*br*See our Faces*br*For as someone once said*br*'we also serve, who only stand and wait'*p**br*Samhain 1997