Memorial Day

A prayer

I have the luxury of not believing in war

Of arguing politics while I sip my coffee in front of a screen,

Of sleeping soundly,

And eating fully,

Without the bitter ache of that missing place at the table.

My father did not.

My brothers and cousins did not.

My niece and nephew do not.

So many do not.

And for all of these fellow citizens,

Who know what I do not know,

And feel what I cannot feel,

To all our Gold star families,

Today I hang my head

And humble my heart

For the gifts we receive

From those who did not come home.