Peace on Memorial Day

I was invited to share a poem or prayer this Memorial Day at the American Legion in Culpeper, Virginia. I agreed and set to work on crafting a poem or prayer. I knew I would need to speak to weeping but also speak to peace on that truly important day. In a way I feel that we should not have big sales that day, but a day of quiet reflection to honor not only those who lost their lives, but looking for peace.

When I compose a sermon or any writing I find that inspiration comes from many sources. The beauty of Nature. The wisdom of the Mystics from all traditions. Love to and from others. Listening. Praying. Being in Conversation with others. Looking deeper and accepting the beautiful mysteries of the Divine Presence. We hold Life in Awe and Wonder.

I was more moved and touched by the ceremony than I had anticipated. However we may feel about armed conflicts between nations and within nations, the immaturity of our humanity, young lives are lost. And for those soldiers returning to their homes, friends and families, many carry deep emotional scars that all too often plague their lives for many years. Some are unable to cope with the trauma and end their lives. We must do more to ebb the tide of this trauma.

We Remember this Memorial Day

We remember

            And are moved

            In our hearts

By the sacrifices

            Made to save and restore

Our freedoms and the freedoms

            Of those around

            Our globe

Let us not forget

Let us weep

for the fallen

But ! – Oh God!

Please  no fallen heroes tomorrow!

            May we find peace

Perhaps if we Just slow down

            And notice

                        The birds and the trees

                        And the kindnesses of people

Notice Beauty

            And our ways of war may fade

So, be still …

            For a moment

                        Regardless of our faith

            Or those who claim no faith

And know who we are …

We are One within the One

We Remember

            We weep

But may we

in the days to come

listen to the breezes

 that touch the trees

Walk the hills and plains

Float through the

Valleys and Seas

Know

            The gentleness of people

The touch of the Sacred

That strokes our heart

So we remember the Love

 that is in Life

            And so may we lead – together