Korean War Memorial 1995
(for my grandfather)
Joseph Veronneau
Souls are reborn
thought to have once been abandoned completely.
Bottled water was handed out
in humid, inhumane temperatures,
but the politicians still wore suits,
climbed to their respective podium
and delivered speeches
they felt the people wanted to hear.
The grassy terrace held too many
in one place at one time,
looking to put peace on a day
in honor of a war
these politicians had no clue about.
Tragedy brings people forth
to respect sacrifices that many
unwillingly took.
The men in suits
wanted it to be a revival,
a ballgame, with the crowd roaring
and applauding to stand proud
before television cameras,
awaiting to catch tears down the faces
for ratings.
This was not a barbecue,
a picnic, or even a town hall meeting,
this was for lives:
husbands and fathers
moving in military rhythm,
receiving bronze badges of courage
and purple hearts,
when the real courage could have come
from the ones who run the nation.