A Poem

My lovely friend, Martha K. Grant, is both gifted fiber artist and poet.  She sent me two poems honoring Veteran's Day and one of them resonated with me.  I am posting it here, with her permission.  It seems we all have a personal battle, or challenge, to contend with.  Perhaps this will speak to you as much as it did to me.

The War Is Over 

Today in a fit of determination

and self-confidence, you delare

the inner war over, the forces

waging mayhem and confusion

in your psyche now cajoled

into surrender—

the battle lines having become

increasingly blurred over time,

it was impossible to tell

who the opponent was,

whose side anyone was on

any more.

The warriors have fallen

to the ground in a heap

of exhaustion and relief,

grateful for that white flag

you’re waving in the distance,

that lone bugler on the hillside,

sounding taps.

Relaxing into this respite,

they feel their bruised limbs

for injuries, reach into pockets

for the wallet

with a photo

from home. 

                 Martha K. Grant, printed with  permission