~

fallen…
heroes all,
saviors-in-training,
on mission repeat;
the service-giving,
life-giving,
members of
a fighting team.
existing solely that
you and i
can spend our time
consumed
with the art
of loving well;
their actions
no less impassioned
than our own,
no less worthy,
no less loving and
no less selfless.  

whatever we think
of war,
we must think
of the individuals
who move toward the fray
rather than away;
those to whom
we owe our very
everyday existence
be it extraordinary
or mundane;
to their daily efforts.,
to their repeated training,
to their daily sacrifice,
we offer
a prayer-filled salute!

and to these
who paid dearly,
to wives,
sons & daughters,
mothers and fathers,
nation with a
grateful heart,
a debt we cannot repay,
we humbly offer
our heart-filled
and loving tribute.
may you ever
rest in peace.

~

*post script.


serving you and me from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina,
these fallen Marine heroes are:
Capt. Stanford Henry Shaw III of Basking Ridge, New Jersey;
Master Sgt. Thomas Saunders of Camp Lejeune;
Staff Sgt. Liam Flynn of Queens, New York;
Staff Sgt. Trevor P. Blaylock of Lake Orion, Michigan;
Staff Sgt. Kerry Michael Kemp of Port Washington, Wisconsin;
Staff Sgt. Andrew Seif of Holland, Michigan; and
Staff Sgt. Marcus Bawol from Warren, Michigan

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/03/13/names-of-7-marines-killed-in-helicopter-crash-released/70277156/

(the four fallen Guard members remain unnamed at this time)

next month my son is deployed
to points classified to us his parents.
i can only think about his sacrifice
in terms of time, money, exposure to danger …  
and his safe return!

Behind Dull Shutters

hiding right here behind these dull shutters
from the lulling songs of that outside world,

maybe if we stay planted where we are at
they may just forget about our lil' absence

because, after all, there are always bigger
goose to be marinaded, and fully cooked

but is it really socially relevant for us to keep
ourselves locked away, beyond the zombies?

james kenneth blaylock
9-20-15

Tempest Bequests

provide us something pleasant
as the darkness only consumes,

leaving our bare bones hollow
and aching - no longer moving

we're forever seeking to become
stronger than yesterday's wimps

please shine your brightest light
on our otherwise shamefulness

awaken us from the thoroughly
saddening tempest bequests...

and even if this be our last ever
request - we yearn for freedom

james kenneth blaylock
9-15-15