The Vote, the prize

 

 

The Prize
(by R.P.Edwards)

Faithful escort
Hallowed head
Uniformed
The sacred dead
Waiting, as we leave our bed
To take us to…the prize
Bought with blood
And widow’s tears
The orphan’s cry
That lasts for years
The escort, waiting
Ever near
To take us to…the prize
And so arise!
And don thy right!
And join with deeds
The heroes fight!
Whose measure, full
Embraced the night!
To give to us…the prize
And with their leading
Sober tread
Complete the task
The joining thread
To add “amens!”
To sermons said
The taking…of the prize
And with our choice
And duties done
We bid farewell
To daughter, son
Until again, they rise…and come
To take us to…the prize

It was a simple text message from my recently married, eighteen year old daughter.  “Don’t forget to vote :p”  Reply: “Thanks 4 the reminder. Did you vote yet?” Reply: “Yup, just did”

I must admit, I felt a bit of gratification.  Although, honestly, my contribution to her “sense of duty” may have had little to do…with me.  She has, after all, married a young man--in many ways mature beyond his years.  But I hope, in a small way at least, that my “being around” caused her to take the time, this day, to be a citizen.

Yes, election day.  When we, the privileged children of heroes, are given the opportunity to validate their sacrifice.  As the poem above implies, I envision the hundreds of thousands, in dress uniform, resurrected for the day, waiting to escort each citizen…to the polling place.  Sadly, many will be left…alone.  But, on this day, many will be followed to the place of decision.  And, unlike some lands where the walking and doing…may cost them their lives, we may pass to and fro safely, because the dying…was accomplished by our fathers.

To conclude: if you haven’t done so, GO VOTE!  And then, sit back and await the results.  It’s an American thing.  An imperfect, sometimes raucous thing.  But, the privilege was paid for by the blood of patriots and I, for one, will not dishonor or disparage their gift…the prize.

In the above Poem the phrase, “And widow’s tears, the orphan’s cry that lasts for years” is from the Song, The Stone (listed in the video bar).  I’d be honored if you took a few moments to view…again.

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Halloween; how appropriate

Scary Time
(by R.P.Edwards)

Scary costumes
Scary night
Scary jack-o’-lantern’s light
Scary stories
Send a chill
With scary words of pain…and ill
How fitting then
All hallows eve
Where darkness aids
The devil’s weave
And shadows shout
And whispers…scream
And nightmares are…the only dream
Yes
Fitting here
The pundits purr
Their lying, twisting, smearing slur
A last attempt
Deceiving say
But all dissolves
With light…of day

I woke up to the phrase, “Too extreme.”  A term used liberally (pun intended) by Charlie Crist concerning the views of his senatorial opponent, Marco Rubio.  Yes, the Florida race for “one of two” is not pretty and, as the date of decision nears (Nov 2), the attacks from both sides imitate a machine gun’s rapid staccato.

“Okay,” says I, “let’s check out Mr. Rubio’s positions and what Mr. Crist says of them.”  So, I went to the younger’s website and discovered a fellow dishing out standard conservative fare: cut taxes, extend tax breaks, help job creators, reduce the size of government, support veterans, deal with entitlements, oppose Obamacare, oppose cap-and-trade, reduce crippling regulation (EPA take notice), strengthen education (yawn) and, concerning judges, “Judges were never designed to create law.” Amen.

“Well, Mr. Crist, what’s extreme about that?”  So…I go to the governor’s website and, as might be expected, he points out that Marco’s view of judges and abortion…are considered out of the mainstream and (gasp) Mr. Rubio’s desire to actually “fix” Social Security; well, that evokes thoughts of an amputating doc (never mind the solvency thing.)

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Today was pick the pumpkin day in preparation for Halloween.  The “holiday” is a couple days off and we have one young’un who’s still interested.  We went to the farm; walked the maze; looked at the animals; and bought the gourd.  Soon it will be gutted and placed on display and then the scary--not so scary--creatures will come out.   It’s all so predictable.  Even so, the attempts of the “moderate” in Florida to scare people to the polls…is also ho hum.  I only hope that before some buy a ticket to the “haunted house” he’s peddling,  that they remember that the ride we’ve been on for the last two years…well…this “screamer” is no joke.  And, if this roller coaster is allowed to continue; we’ll go off the rails for sure.  And…if it takes an "extremist" to slow this runaway train down.  Then I say, “Welcome aboard, Mr Rubio. Welcome aboard.”

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