POEM: Return To Freedom’s Forge
This was written for the CPC Friday Fling poetry challenge. My theme this week was to memorialize Pearl Harbor Day (Saturday the 7th) with a poem about how the war the Pearl Harbor attack got us into affected the US later in positive ways, so that the sacrifices made that day were not in vain.
RETURN TO FREEDOM’S FORGE
We had no role in its beginning.
but USA helped forge its winning.
Shy to enter a new brutal fight
till Pearl Harbor Day shone its bright light
Congress declared a state of war;
Soldiers embarked from ship to shore.
Desert warfare set North Africa free
for long thresh through Fascist Italy.
The homefront folk made do with less
and often shared the front line’s stress
fearing attack or sabotage
in factory and home garage.
A truly national effort was made.
For many ultimate price was paid.
But by the end new unity grew
While most to freedom’s dream came true.
The D-Day landing took back France
March across Europe to Berlin dance
V-E Day heralded great relief
and reaffirmed divine belief.
All ships at sea made island hop
across Pacific without stop,
till techno bombs proved who would win
and US swooned in triumph’s din.
Nazi and Empire’s menace crushed
sea lanes fell silent, burnt landscapes hushed.
Our crucial role no one denied,
and liberty rode a rising tide.
Copyright December 5th 2013 RGD