The Soldiers Rest...

"The Soldiers Rest"

Photographed -&- Written by G.,G.Rae

Photograph of The Chalmette National Cemetery (Chalmette, Louisiana) 

The Soldiers Rest

A national cemetery

A mass grave

A timeline of history in itself

A monument to fallen heroes

Who thought of more than just themselves

This is where the soldiers rest

This is where they lay their heads

This is where loved ones come to visit them

In this place to mourn the dead

Thousands of unfamiliar names

In rows as far as the eye can see

And with them

Thousands of untold stories

That span our history

This is where the soldiers rest

In this setting serene and bittersweet

Feel the calmness in the air

Feel the lull of soldiers in eternal sleep

How many adversaries did these heroes subdue

How many lives did these warriors save

Did they save the life of at least one person

Or did some of them die in vain

This is where the soldiers rest

But is this a peaceful sleep

When the time came for them to close their eyes

Where they able to find heaven in their dreams

I walk along this quiet path

I put loved ones faces with the names

I try to make sense of why they’re resting here

I want to believe their deaths were not in vain

There are two sides to every story

Two sides to every fight
and as with every argument

Both sides believe they’re right

Loved ones put on uniforms

They leave with the idea they’re keeping the world safe

They go to someone else's home

And justify the lives they take

But if they take one life

Then lose their own

More will be sent in their place

Which raises the questions

What exactly are they fighting for

&

Who are they really keeping safe

A national cemetery

A mass grave

Proof

Of history taught

But never learned

Watching helplessly as it repeats itself

Knowing each generation will have their turn

Decorated were these heroes

Now decorated are their graves

They risked it all for our freedom

They gave their lives to keep us safe

~ The Soldiers Rest ~
Written -&- Photographed by G.,G.Rae
Copyright © 2005
Ginger Gonzales

All Rights Reserved