Carried in,
in the dead of night,
like some smuggler's load.
Lights dimmed, the curtains drawn:
these are the hidden.
Men in dark uniforms,
bear coffins with short shuffling steps,
as if afraid to draw attention.
If no one hears, and no one sees,
should we just pretend that no one's died?
Hours ago,
the shrieks of women.
mothers, wives, and daughters,
subsided into whimpers.
A private grief not shared, but hidden.
Fathers, husbands, and sons,
eyes tearing, mouth their silent curses,
as reticence turns to rage.
An anger perfected in the quiet of their beings.
Who would venture that what they now feel is pride?
These are our best, we say.
They gave all, and should be honored.
But what we do not see, we cannot mourn.
They are secreted away, as if in shame.
Who do they protect when hidden?
© C David Sinex (2004)
I believe that mourning falling heroes of war secretly is not only devastating to their families, but also a show of ingratitude to their patriotic service to the nation. An insightful poem nicely penned with conviction. Thanks for sharing.
To answer your final question, the hiding protects the politicians, the ones who always start the wars but never fight in them. You poem is excellent - a 10 +++
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
They gave all, and should be honored. But what we do not see, we cannot mourn. They are secreted away, as if in shame. Who do they protect when hidden? grief expressed in a very touching way. love this poem. tony