22 is UNACCEPTABLE

I keep a special place in my heart for veterans. Please accept my GRATITUDE:
For there are those that require our HONOR
There are those that require our THANKS
There are those that require our RESPECT
They stand UNKNOWN in their ranks.
They have sacrificed PERSONAL SOVEREIGNTY
for lost limbs and ANONYMITY
as we are ignorant of their SUFFERING
they fight on in ISOLATION.
because we are blind to their IMMOLATION
they loose heart, and in FRUSTRATION
voices lost in CONFRONTATION.
break the cycle
see the pain
make it right
bring the rain
let them know
its not in vain
why they fought
we KNOW
we THANK
we LOVE

My Grandfather’s Tools

In my shop I found a square
I think my parents left it there
it was rusty and unused
“I need this at work.” I mused

It was among some others there
planes for wood, a larger square
They had belonged to my mother’s dad
just a few of the many he’d had

It went to work with me that night
to set a blade, make sure its right
and even though it wasn’t new
that little square was perfect true

My Grampa was a quiet man
He worked a lot with his hands
and to me it just seemed right
To re-employ that square last night

Tools were made better in his day
And too expensive to just throw away
They don’t make things like that anymore
use new things once, then out the door

I think my Grampa would be proud
to know something of his was still around
to know that they are treasured things
true as ever, just like him.