To a Revolutionary War Hero

Soldiers, Warriors, Patriots,
Freedom Fighters and more
You spoke of Revolution
From you I learned of a different war

The wars in my life
The ones that come to mind
World War II, Viet Nam, the others
Are all of a similar kind

They are measured by lives lost
By heroes who led the fight
That carried the torch
With dignity and might

They blazed a trail
To battlegrounds drenched in blood
Places holy and sacred
The price rarely understood

From the greatest orators and leaders
I learned what freedom means
“Four score and seven years ago”
“I have a dream”

Then I listened to you
Sounding a battle cry
We weren’t at war
I wondered why

The more I listened
You described the war
“Take it to the streets,
Walk the nursing home floors”

You said our brothers and sisters
Are locked away
Laws are being made
And they have no say

So I answered your call
I hit the streets
I’m haunted by what I saw
The people I would meet

When I walked the halls
And listened to the sounds
I finally got it
This is the battleground

Every bit as sacred
Even more lives lost
Should freedom and dignity
Come at such a cost

So now when I speak of war
To my children, family and friends
I speak of a fight
Without a beginning or an end

No specific date
To celebrate as Independence Day
No one document to hang on the wall
To prove we found the way

When history looks back
To tally our score
They won’t look at one battle
It will have to be more

Did we follow your path
Did we fight to the end
Not just change the laws
But did we make amends

Did we go back to those halls
Listen to the sounds
Understand that this
Is our hallowed ground

This is a Revolutionary War
Unlike no other
We must not retreat
We cannot take cover

You waged the war
You taught us to fight
We’ll take over now
But we pray, please keep us in sight

Justin, because of you I will vote, march and seek office.
I love you.

An original poem by Corey L. Rowley