recovering soldiers haiku for OSI May 18, 2008
Posted by Sandy in haiku.Tags: haiku
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The One Single Impression prompt this week is bleeding.
My husband and I went to visit his dad at the Veterans Hospital at Togus, Maine yesterday. As we turned a curve coming up on the front of the complex, a huge field of American flags came into view. It was one of those “Oh” moments, and I have tried to capture it in a haiku. One thing though, I see that I should have replaced old with all soldiers, since there are many young people there recovering from recent action. A special thanks to all of them.
I had a similar moment last year on Memorial Day when we tuned a corner and the Fort Snelling Cemetery came into view. White headstones and American flags as far as the eye could see.
Nicely done Sandy. Thank you.
This just makes me sad. I like the substitution of “all” for your original old. All the young people who will never get to be old remembered and mourned. Lovely haiku.
I second the motion. What a moment that must have been. Beautiful photo. Thanks for sharing, Geraldine
This is very powerful, Sandy. What a sight that must have been; and what emotions evoked.
“Bellowing flags” is a compelling phrase–as if the flags won’t let our minds rest on the quiet of death that results from conflict. Remember, but don’t remember deeply! Great stuff here.
Wow, that is an amazing field of flags. It gets to my heart. Thanks for sharing it.
perfect timing…this is wonderful for the memorial day holiday coming up. i second sandy…bellowing flags command attention…
Those flags are impressive. Fields of flags are powerful. There is one here for each soldier that has died in Iraq and it breaks my heart. I love your poem.
I am sure this was an inspirational sight.
The “field of bellowing flags” - very descriptive. My son became aware of the American flag during the first Iraq war. We were at a school assembly with his sister and he refused to join in the pledge. Later that day, he pointed to the stars and stripes and said, “Mom, there’s the war flag.” I realized that CNN’s war coverage had influenced his view of this symbol powerfully.
Powerful. How could we forget? So many lives sacrificed. Not peaceful deaths these. Well done.
Field of bellowing flags is a great line!
ravages of time
You captured that OH moment so well in your haiku, whether you use old or all.
Have a wonderful week.
it is an wonderful ku and photo… reminds me of CSN&Y song… cost of freedom…
Great haiku - I had forgotten Memorial Day was coming up! When we lived in Texas we had a tradtion to honor our family that had served at the gravesites. Now we just go to graveyards and look for graves that need tiny flags. We feel it’s still good to honor those who died for our freedoms, even if we aren’t related.
It makes me so sad. And yet I also feel proud of not only those in my family who have done so much, but for all. Thank you for this.
“Bellowing flags” do capture our hearts. The image of so many lost in the wind, is indeed sad. This was beautiful.