On Memorial Day by Deborah Beach Giordano

On Memorial Day
The earth sings to the Beloved:

a mournful hymn

for those who have died

on its countless battlefields:
“Too soon, too many,

our children sleep

within my breast;

their bodies still,

their voices silenced,

their families bereft;

their blood cries out

within me.

Give them Your peace.”
The nation sings to the Beloved:

a mournful hymn

for those who have died

on its countless battlefields:
“Bless, O God, bless

those who went forth

not in love of violence,

but in pursuit of peace,

to protect, to serve,

to defend,

and ultimately,

to give their lives.
“Bless, O God, bless

those who carried the burden

of our country’s commitments

to the last measure;

who offered themselves

in our stead,

who bled

and suffered

and died.

Give them Your peace.”
The dead sing to the Beloved:

the mournful hymn

of those who have died

on the countless battlefields:
“Bless, O God, bless

our families and friends,

comfort their hearts,

strengthen their resolve,

for they, too,

have made their sacrifice.

Give them Your peace.
“Bless, O God, bless

our brothers

and sisters

who lingered for months

and years,

under siege

from an implacable enemy

within;

slowly dying

from invisible wounds.

Give them Your peace.”
And we, who remember,

sing to the Beloved:

a mournful hymn:
“Bless, O God, bless

those who have lost their lives

on the earth’s countless battlefields;

and bless us, Beloved,

with clear understanding

of what we all have lost

and who bears the cost

when our nation goes to war.

Help us to earn Your peace.”
Amen.
Deborah Beach Giordano

Memorial Day 2017