In poetry as passionate as that which I wish to share for memorials and holidays that share such depth and meaning as Memorial Day, I find it difficult to be bothered with rhyme and meter. Instead, I endeavor to force into concise words free verse Memorial day poems that express the sentiment and emotion Memorial Day brings. There is no greater day to express appreciation and sorrow for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for me to sit here in relative luxury. There is no greater day to share the common hope of peace and prosperity when tyranny is extinguished, by bullet or sword, that everyone may enjoy these freedoms that we celebrate on Memorial Day.
Below are two Memorial Day poems that are, in my mind, a frail attempt to express with words what young men and women have expressed through their lives.
Memorial Day Poem: We Must Remember
Our Founding Fathers recognized liberty as a right of all mankind, granted by God.
Rights bestowed on us, and every human being, because we are the express image of our Creator.
Tyrants have tried to abolish these rights.
Despots have tried to deny them.
Courageous American soldiers have taken up arms, turned their back on fear and fear and danger,
And protected the rights of individuals the world over.
On Memorial Day, we must reflect upon the courage of those who have stood in the gap.
We must not forget that freedom has come at a price too costly to be repaid.
We must remember those who have stood in harm’s way to prevent the spread of tyranny, bloodshed, and oppression far and wide.
We must remember those who have died, recognizing the importance of the rights and freedoms they have preserved.
We must remember those who fought and died in days before our birth, to ensure our birth into freedom.
We must remember those sacrificed, counting their lives loss for the greater cause of freedom.
We must remember why they sacrificed.
We must remember why they died.
We must remember what they knew to be true: God given freedom is a right, but in a world of tyrannical rulers and terrorists it is a right that must not be taken for granted.
We must remember.
Memorial Day Poem: I Did it for You
Do you think I wanted to die?
Do you think there were days I didn’t question the “why?”
I had my days of weakness, too,
But in the back of my mind there was always you.
I saw things a man should never see.
I fought hard so these things would cease to be.
Till my dying breath, I knew freedom brings truth,
That’s why I died, to preserve it for you.
Don’t look on my death as a reckless waste.
You should have seen the dying look on my face.
It wasn’t a look of fear or shame.
There was no one but evil and tyranny to blame.
I died so fewer men, one day, might have to.
The simple truth is…
I did it for you.
These poems are original. While you are encouraged to use these Memorial Day poems for reflection or sharing, please remember and abide by all copyright laws. These poems may be shared via email using the “Share” button at the bottom of the page. Please acknowledge the author, Wendy Dawn, and the Associated Content url in any and all uses of these Memorial Day poems. Thank you.
