Thank you can never be enough. This is my way of letting service members know I will never forgot what has been done for all of us. John
White Crosses and Strings
By John Jay Eicher April 25, 2020
Inspired by:
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, October 2019
"In formation at rest, as in life." Clinton Lowe, October 2019
Hymn a l’amour (Hymn to Love, Edith Piaf). By 3 strings, October 2019
Youth
Youthful joy springs forth on grassy yard.
Boys raucously play without a care.
Content, a mother’s loving eyes aware.
Excited, exhausted, flushed cheeks;
A long spring slams the screen door shut;
Picnic table, plaid-cloth their field hut.
Laughter echoes, fills the neighborhood.
Gentle breeze, a leaf-whisper bears.
Love unbound, Rice-Krispy squares.
Fingers and strings create a mood,
Bright notes race across the bars,
Sounds that match the twinkling stars.
Violin, guitar and cello; Piaf unfurled.
Moms’ hugs – all’s safe in their world.
Love
White lines bound green field squares;
Young men partner with their peers.
On a rough bleacher, mom cheers!
Giggles among the stadium girls;
Soft secrets shared behind innocent eyes.
Blossoming love, a hoped-for prize.
They wave to mom from the car’s front seat.
Loving tears blur her happy vision.
Happy tears blur her loving vision!
Slide up the neck a crescendo building;
Light finger pads plink foreverness.
Deep bass notes resound cavernous!
Score’s cello-part trembles with love’s herald.
Girls’ sweet kisses – all’s right in their world.
Duty
Green vehicles with white stars rumble.
Shoulder to shoulder, packs they wear;
Wave salt-spray stings eyes that stare.
Sand grits under soaked clothes, boots.
Rain splatters red beach stains;
Green cliffs secure, victory reigns!
Two women – one old, one young;
Happy contemplations battle woeful fears.
Their shattered vision sheds empty tears.
Desolate chords, despondent melody.
Broken rhythm cries despairingly!
Fingers find notes frettingly.
Three parts as one outflow.
Men catch each other’s eyes – and know.
Sacrifice
White crosses in formation on green fields.
Wispy clouds streak cold blue sky;
Gnarled trees. The wind a sigh.
Waves crash beaches below the cliff;
Evil stole their lives too soon.
Their women’s cries shriek from the moon!
I stand here, unknown to them;
A heavy heart and thankful hand.
Eternal sacrifice their team’s band.
Soft music catches breath and soul;
Called them, “Join her in life’s dance.”
Are you prepared to take that chance?
One last, sweet note strums a wren.
We bow to them – and Pray Amen.
