Memorial Day! 2024

 

Patriotic-Cadenced Heartbeats
(a song)
 
 
Staccato-tempo pulses heart-chords true
Waves proud unfurled red, white and blue
From infant innocence grasped family cue
Breathed tradition-liberty-freedom he drew
Soft “Patriotic-Cadenced Heartbeats” knew
 
Taw-head boy’s hand in Dad’s viewed July 4^th parade yonder
Crowd-lined Main St. celebrates holiday Homecoming wonder
 
Flowered floats with pretty girls waving coquettishly
Uniformed bands precision-cadence march prophetic-ly
 
For father, brother, uncle, son a glisten-tear upon yon tender cheek
Surrendered all for National-Pride, forever tall, the country’s meek
 
In innocent vision clear, Dad’s salute to flag is formed
Emulates the adoring child as a tradition-love is borned
 
Staccato-tempo pulses heart-chords true
Waves proud unfurled red, white and blue
From infant innocence grasped family cue
Breathed tradition-liberty-freedom he drew
Soft “Patriotic-Cadenced Heartbeats” knew
 
Studied hard, learned well: math, English, valued history
Contemplated natural life, challenged religious-mystery
 
We the people voted good men President numbers to forty-four
Office demanded, was freely granted, loyal respect and more
 
Of five worthy presidents loved Jefferson’s vocabulary
Save four, the rest deserved scrutiny by the constabulary
 
Virtue country leaders “Teddy”, JFK, Reagan and “Old Hickory”
Mere flawed men who cherished US first and most, I surely see
 
Kissed first love at twelve behind the shadowed bandstand
Returned his love, bore his child, no hypocritic grandstand
 
Donned the colors, off to war, faced honor-true responsibility
Served brave while honing sacred independent-individuality
 
 
Staccato-tempo pulses heart-chords true
Waves proud unfurled red, white and blue
From infant innocence grasped family cue
Breathed tradition-liberty-freedom he drew
Soft “Patriotic-Cadenced Heartbeats” knew
 
Hot brick oven rushes close in verdant emerald jungle green
Idealist-young beret descends hellish red clay fire-fight scene
 
A hundred honor-challenged, of only three successes, one was he
Under white billowed canvas rifle clutched, chose a hero-man to be
 
Wonder if the patriotic beat drums loud proudly in his ears
Wonder if silver wings upon young chest quell his war-fears
 
Freedom flickers in bright eye betrays true pride he knows
Ideology unique! Special Forces-“In your face!” He chose
 
Staccato-tempo pulses heart-chords true
Waves proud unfurled red, white and blue
From infant innocence grasped family cue
Breathed tradition-liberty-freedom he drew
Soft “Patriotic-Cadenced Heartbeats” knew
 
Years ahead in warm summer’s June-time Homecoming parade
A young child stands by parents honor-proud, no mock charade
 
His tender heart reverberates a pounding drumbeat calling song
Varied faces, same ole places, a decade born, wild-lived, soon gone
 
“Where was my honor-won parade?” Proud father-soldier sadly laments
Another time? Another place? Crisp salutes Old Glory! Humble relents
 
Soft tender touch upon broad shoulder from adoring lovely wife
Caressed away nightmare spirit-demons; shared lonely vacant strife
 
Staccato-tempo pulses heart-chords true
Waves proud unfurled red, white and blue
From infant innocence grasped family cue
Breathed tradition-liberty-freedom he drew
Soft “Patriotic-Cadenced Heartbeats” knew
 
An old man totters as yesteryears soldiers smartly march past
Shaky hand salutes his proud flag! Wonders: How can it last?
 
Spectators stand urged by Traditions hard-won spark
Candle-comfort flame beckons sad world lost in dark
 
Declared sparkle in the elder clear blue orbs, intelligent
 Bridged river deep, challenged mountain high, significant
 
Reflections of such time-mirage suggest offered ambition
His parade is past to march in ’morrow’s famed Tradition
 
Staccato-tempo pulses heart-chords true
Waves proud unfurled red, white and blue
From infant innocence grasped family cue
 Breathed tradition-liberty-freedom he drew
Soft “Patriotic-Cadenced Heartbeats” knew
 
And, in that awesome-wondered life is found
Adventure-world discovery awaits un-bound
 
Dare satiate spirit hunger need in unabated courage wild
Wear “Cool”-mantle proud-displayed by “meek and mild”
 
On Liberty Hill, gold Freedom torch-flame flicker-beckons
Love me tender! Defend me true! Patriotic reason-reckons
 
Staccato-tempo pulses heart-chords true
Waves proud unfurled red, white and blue
From infant innocence grasped family cue
 Breathed tradition-liberty-freedom he drew
Soft “Patriotic-Cadenced Heartbeats” knew
 
Happy Birthday! America! Red, white and blue proud waves unfurled
Our home! Our love! Constitution-law upheld in sacred honor swirled
Found freedom bound sweet liberty; best of the best in this wide world!
 
Happy Birthday! America! Red, white and blue waves proud unfurled
Our home! Our love! Constitution-law upheld in sacred honor swirled
Found freedom bound sweet liberty; best of the best in this wide world!
 
Staccato-tempo pulses heart-chords true
Waves proud unfurled red, white and blue
From infant innocence grasped family cue
 Breathed tradition-liberty-freedom he drew
Soft “Patriotic-Cadenced Heartbeats” knew
 
 
 
Happy Birthday! America! Red, white and blue waves proud unfurled
Our home! Our love! Constitution-law upheld in sacred honor swirled
Found freedom bound sweet liberty; best of the best in this wide world!
 
Amen! To that! Amen! Again!