When I look at my life

I do know a certain peace

In my every day

My waking moments

When my world evolves around me

I know I live in freedom

~

When I can reach out

And hold her in my arms

Feel her sweet breath alight

The hairs on the back of my neck

I touch a release

Sensing love is that true freedom

~

In the evening quiet, tonight

I look up into the sky

And see the moon shine

Across the horizon

I may realize there is truth

Beyond the scope of my world

~

I never crawled the damp grass

Carrying machinery on my back

Or felt the pain of watching

Soft tears as they took their last breath

With pleading eyes

That asked if he did the right thing

~

There is a moment of awe

When colorful lights explode

Above our heads while lawn chairs

Blankets and glow sticks abound

We’re allowed to imagine beauty

Knowing full well we have freedom

~

“And the rockets red glare, the bombs

Bursting in air, gave proof through the night

That our flag was still there”

We give pause to the spirits

That pass before us who sacrificed

Their red blood that we might know freedom