Flag draped coffin

She was his faithful down home girl
From his little home town
She had faith in God and Country
White was her wedding gown

She Went to church every Sunday
Unwavered was her faith
Every day she would pray to God
To keep her hero safe

One dreadful day she drove up to
the only local store
She came back to her worst nightmare
A black car by the door

The somber faced Sargent Major
Delivered her the news
He couldn't soften it for her
Not a damn thing he could do

Her hero came home fully dressed
in a flag draped coffin
She was consumed by grief so hard
No words or deeds could soften

There was a Marine Corps funeral
     With tradition and words
She just sat staring at the ground 
     Said not a single word

Three weeks later she joined her man
in the cold hallowed ground
Found sprawled out dead on the floor
when her sister came around

Sleeping pills and alcohol
May have played a part
But everyone knew the truth
She died of a broken heart

Reviews

[KAOlmsted]

Tragic. It is unfortunate that this occurs. You tackled the subject with a respectfulness that may surprise some of your new readers but has never surprised me or your loyal fan base. You are a true poet, and this is the proof. Those chills I feel have zero to do with my flu...those chills are all you. Well done.

[quinfinn]

is it just me kimmer, or has anyone else noticed the elephant in the room? no replies to any reviews on this poem. ricochet is one of the best poets on this site...

[KAOlmsted]

I noticed that...You know, I wouldn't want to speak for him, but I hope it doesn't put anyone off he didn't comment on the reviews for this piece. It is my understanding that sometimes, when he writes these deep, powerful pieces, he just lets them roll...I know for a fact he appreciates every last comment...as do you. And yes, I agree. He is.

[quinfinn]

;)

[Baby Ricochet]

These are hard enough just to write.

[Baby Ricochet]

I do appreciate all your comments. Thank you guys. You truly are my friends

[KAOlmsted]

Always, Mark...

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Such a tragically beautiful piece. The emotional boundaries of this piece are really limitless. Such a real, vivid, relevant and gritty peak into life...these things happen, and too often we do no wish to think about them. Nicely done!

[N!LoC]

i like this side of baby rico... (but i also like your other sides as well) :-)

[Jack...]

Very sad, very real and very well writtne. Nice job.

[Annabelle Lee]

reading this broke my heart. I forget all the time how lucky I am that my Dad came back to me and thinking of the way it would have been otherwise makes ne cry. This was fantastic,Ricochet

[Marie]

I had no sons, no brothers, no sweetheart to sacrifice to the war, and for that I am grateful. I wouldn't have given them up easily.

[Richard Man]

The hidden casualties of war.... this could be made into a country music classic. It's not the ticket that gets you home it;s the train. Thanks for this.

[unspoken_hero]

Very well written.

[Patricia B. Hepler]

Truthful, brutally honest and excruciating. An honorable tribute to the reality of the horrors of war, the devastation of love and of lives lost~
Well done, sir.
~pat

[violetta york / nicki e..]

sad but a wonderful writing. really well into detail and it just flows.

[Balkaran Sidhu]

sad...well portrayed