Elements Of Chance

You there! under shaded haven true
In ease, who fill your days near shelter's bole.
How ill is known...of leaves o’er arching you,
Broad trunk and branch conveyed of Monticello soul.

...Of at your feet strewn green, and brown, and gray
Imparting rustle massed of plaintive cries;
Grand knotted roots drink deep in streaming clay,
From such a flood at plaint, wellsprings there in reprise.

They've taken fire in half a million fights
At other houses, quarters—park and square.
Great stretches done to black—oppression’s blight
Ran dark, diseased with ruin over there.

On other houses, quarters—park and square,
And others living fearful, pinched and hard—
Reflect and ponder; ruin ever there—
And why it is so quiet in your yard.

Such ones! who plunge their hands in living seethe
Such cast, such die—lest all should come to harm.
Distinct it is when any cease to breathe;
He held him as his blood dripped off his arm.

Forgone the time and forfeited the sweet;
Their greatest sacrifice, as some would say.
Good words alleged by unattached elite
Who speak of sacrifice in common way.

But such! they measure not as you or I;
Uneasy they, to dwell at tyrant’s let.
The things we may allow can never vie
For those who live no value under threat.

And burnt off from their rule our banal score;
Accorded minds were cast, then forged anew.
There matters much, and little, when at war—
Not high, not low, not whence, but what they do.

Then how are we to take the measure say,
When Tillman, Chance, or Dunham—others fall.
Why, see them as they are! they willing weigh
Their measure, simply said, at all for all.

Outside them, never shortage drought or dearth
Of disaffected, boasting pained complaint.
Yea, betters show us duty on this earth,
And some are something very near a saint.

Though Heroes live and die to scattered care,
There’s honor understanding honor’s guard.
Reflect and ponder; who is willing there
And why, it is so quiet in your yard.

This began from reading of the homecoming of Marine Lance Corporal Chance Phelps, Taking Chance Home

Ranger Pat Tillman’s story is better known. Google him, if you don’t.

Marine Corporal Jason Dunham you may read about here. Or here, if you're a subscriber.

   posted by Stephen at 7:56 AM | Plink