1. Memorial Day,1949 Poem by Raynette Eitel

They fling their flowers quickly out to sea.
Each petal is a prayer upon a wave,
Pressing against the tide deliberately.
They dare to watch, recalling all they gave
Up to the war: their only son who went
With smiling eyes and kisses sweet and brief;
Too soon the message, 'missing.' Long nights spent
With weeping, hoping, praying, tasting grief
As salty as the sea hiding their son.
Now though there is no proof, the years have shown
Them that they must accept his death. As one
They turn to go. The deep, dark sea will drone
Its mournful melody. Then sea's white hand
Will etch an epitaph on distant sand.