Carry On Poem by Edith Niemeyer

Tiz wonderings' thought
that brings me here...
to where footsteps' past
have left their imprint
upon freedoms' ground.
Came they as one?
Nay.
Each came carrying
their own name,
their own heart,
their own tomorrows'
yet unknown.
And still—
somewhere betwixt
duty's call
and sacrifices' answer,
ALL became ONE.
Connected dots' were they...
scattered amongst
times' eternal round,
until one life
touched another
and another
and another—
chains' of events
stretching beyond
seeings' eye.
For what tiz freedom
if not something
carried?
Hand unto hand.
Heart unto heart.
Generation unto
generation.
Freedoms' banner
did not arrive
upon winds' own choosing.
Hands held her.
Lives defended her.
Sacrifice gave wind
beneath her folds.
And forever
may she wave.
So stand I here—
one amongst many,
yet knowing
many once stood
so I could stand
as one.
Grateful tiz I.
Amazed tiz I.
Remembering
I shall remain.
And when freedoms' banner
finds its way
unto my hands,
carry her
I shall.
Until another hand
reaches...
and mine need carry
no more.
Then quietly
from yesterdays' keepings
unto tomorrows' awakenings,
whisper shall I—
To All.
To One.
Carry On.