Altar at Arlington

Fresh from combat

my father kneels,

head bowed,

grass and earth 

supporting his

tired bones.

He blesses himself

at this sacred 

place.

Lifting his head,

he whispers,

to the tombstone

asking where 

he's been

certain 

of a presence

that protected him.

The answer,

a familiar aroma

not frankincense 

and myrrh

but Oldspice...

(love.)

Emotion 

overwhelms him

chalices of tears

christen this union

upon the altar

of his 

father.

—

In honor of my father, a combat veteran USAF Retired, and his father, also career military AF officer. #FatherSonBond #FatherSonVets #warpoetry #militarypoems 

Responding to US President 45 constantly insulting military members and their families (most recently calling soldiers “losers” and “suckers” for signing up to fight for or die for this country.) #WeRespectVets #86-45 

#FightAmericanFascism 

#VoteBlue2020