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ARLINGTON
by Ruth Mariott
FIRST CANT0
I
saw his name engraved in granite
In
the shadow of the ivy covered oak—
a
long time tenant in that sacred grove
The
wind moves now and then through
barren
branches
A
bird alights sometimes, as if by chance,
It
chirps—and then flies on
all
else is mute…
The
marble tomb nearby wear night and day
the
sentries , stand with steadfast vigilance
it
bears no name.
During
the changing of the guards—
at
preset daylight hours—
Upon
command the sentries spring to life
and
to action
They
walk with slow, precisely measured steps
clicking
their heels at certain intervals
toeing
the line invisible
across
expanse of marbled ground
presenting
arms and slapping rifle
Flawless
in execution and procedures
flawless
in bearing and attire
one
is the perfect mirror to the other
down
to the last detail: just so, no more, no less
Their
buckles shine, The honor badge is gleaming
The
are the heroes of the Old Guard Regiment
Instant
obedience and discipline
thus
manifest, are but reflections
on
inner core of strength, esprit and gallantry
submerging
self for Cause and Greater Good.
(attained
by very few)
The
changing of the guard has been accomplished
The
last command has been obeyed
The
guard now on duty now enters his station
Stands
at attention over the tomb
Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier
SECOND CANT0
The
people come from far, here to these
hallowed
hills to witness and be cast
in
ceremony. They stand in silence
and
they stare with awe,
They
think of their solemn thoughts with
somber
eyes,
Transported
by the mesmerizing ritual into
the
Presence of a Greater Truth and Order
and
brushed by the gentle wings of Destiny,
they
seem to hear faint echoes stirring
from
the vault of sky and time
evoking
visions in their souls and puzzling
memories
of what? from where?
Thus
paying tribute to the One Unknown
(and
with him to the many like him
whose
burial mounds and crosses are
stretching
far below The Tomb)
They
sense that he who sacrificed his life
Decades
ago—nay centuries—was
Now
exalted.
(and
with him the many like him)
exalting
Gallantry and Honor, Honor and Valor.
Spectators
in this Shifting scene on
Patriotic
state, the people leave
Reluctantly,
the Nations Shrine still Pondering.
They
wander down the soddy path
They
speak in muffled tones, shuffling
Their
feet before they exit slowly
Through
the Outer Arch.
THIRD CANTO
I
saw his name engraved in granite
enlaced
with ivy from the nearby tree
I
plucked a spring of living ivy
And
took it home with me
planted
in a pot of earth
upon
my window sill
the
climbing vine has taken root
and
it is greening still
Your
body may be buried
you
may be long since gone
but
cherished memories of you
and
your name lives on.
I
stepped out of my cabin door
and
looked up at the sky
I
saw a golden eagle soar
I
heard the eagle cry
The
eagle soared into the sun
and
was soon lost from view
The
spirit of the unknown one and you.
FOURTH CANTO
Down
through the corridor of Time
The
eagle sounds its piercing cry
keening
over all the fields
where
the fallen warriors lie.
Their
tattered uniforms and bones
have
Mildered in their narrow grave
White
crosses bear a name and date
so
young—and all so brave.
Through
countless wars in global spots
they
fought in air, on land and sea
They
paid the price, they gave their life
so
others could be free.
They
fought chaotic battles
To
victory or defeat
and
now they lie in long, long rows
orderly
and neat...
A
bugle in sunsets glow
is
sounding Taps from far away
Soon
now the winds of night will blow
And
tomorrow is another day.
EPILOGUE
The
Stars and Stripes wave on the ridge
High
above Arlington Bridge
in
between are stretched the grounds
with
all of its heroes earthen mounds
From
up high the spirits chide
Forever
shall our Flag abide
In Freedom—Honor--Valor