VETERAN'S DAY

A silver haired man in a uniform

With his cracking voice and glistening eyes

Recalls the thunder of a battle's storm

As stars and stripes ripple in azure skies.

The anthem's sweet wavering melody

Rides through ruffling leaves on a gentle breeze

Evoking emotion and memory

Of freedom's price paid o'er distant seas.

A twenty year old dunce nudges a friend

While nodding toward the silver haired "dude"

Snickering maliciously at the blend

Of weakness and frailty, open and crude.

Observing the scene, my child on my lap,

I see, re-defined, generation gap.

by  Chuck Keller

©  2006