Travelers Welcome

Travelers Welcome

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Names from Another War

by Barry Basden

For three days, the Traveling Wall--
half maybe three-quarter size--
stands on a windy hill
in a far corner of the fort,
away from the bustle of the main post.

Families of a certain age
and old-timers in boonie hats
file past shiny black panels
and leave medals, faded photos, flowers
beneath remembered names.

So many names. Choked-up weeping.
A few salutes. Silence.
Nothing else but the wind
and, in the distance,
the dust of young soldiers preparing.

3 comments:

  1. very visual & closing stanza particularly moving in its description!
    good job as always!

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  2. I agree very visual and poignant. I saw the Moving Wall in Chicago 1986 and in Macomb, Illinois the following year.

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  3. I don't know whether to cry or scream. The wasted lives enrage me. There should never have to be a wall . . . .

    Alice Folkart

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