Ode To Sacrifice Poem by Shannon Greenwald

To sacrifice ones self in the name of something greater
Day after day
Never knowing if you’ll see her face again.
You do it for love,
You do it for honor,
You do it because it’s your choice.
Your life or his, maybe even both.
Which is worth more?
Which do you sacrifice?
Together you’re heavy
Separate your light,
Which light dims?
One for which the wick as been burning for so long,
Yet is still going strong?
Or
The wick that has just begun to burn brightly?
Sacrifice too many is just a word,
But to a few
They know it to be an action,
One they are ready to take.
The wick burns out, it was shining it’s brightest toward the end,
Happy to share its knowledge with the young spitfire.
Now one candle continues to burn,
Growing brighter,
And
Igniting other fires,
Thanks to sacrifice.
As a final act, sacrifice is the greatest honor,
The most rewarding,
The action so many take.
Thank you for your sacrifice.

I dedicate this poem in honor of all the men and women in the United States Armed Forces, every branch, every person and animal.
Thank you for defending our country everyday.