From the VA's Waiting Room



Through these portals pass the pride of a nation
Brave guardians of the red, white and blue;
Stalwart warriors who saw fit to man their stations
Where America's unwavering stewardship stands true.

Home from hideous trenches drenched by rain
'Ere agonizing sounds of combat shells have quieted down.
Steady in marching formation, despite crippling pain,
Determined to keep old glory from hitting the ground.    

Behold the strong relentless crop of America's youth
Plucked in the prime of their glorious awakening
Disciplined acceptance measured how well they fought
Grief for comrades lost --- a mere excuse for brief mourning.

Legends do not die -- their stories live on
Those who came home will patch up missing details
Each one is a hero, and when recounting is done
A co-patriot fills in where the voiceless one fails.

Make way on these hallways -- walk with respectful stride
These warriors have weathered the test
You are facing gallant patriots who had served with pride.
You are walking amongst America's best.  

About this poem

My observations from the waiting room of Palo Alto, California's VA Hospital.

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Written on November 08, 2023

Submitted by Marangal09 on November 10, 2023

54 sec read
45

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABXB CXCX XDXD XEAE FGFG
Closest metre Iambic hexameter
Characters 1,043
Words 179
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Rizalina Ramos Talag

Immigrated to the US in 1972 from the Philippines with my family. more…

All Rizalina Ramos Talag poems | Rizalina Ramos Talag Books

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1 Comment
  • AIDA
    This is a moving poem that radiates raw emotion and showcases the depth of your respect and admiration for the veterans who have served this country. Your choice of words and phrases vividly paints pictures in the minds of the readers, and the rhythm of your poem flows smoothly from line to line which makes it a pleasure to read.

    Your allusions to the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of these brave individuals are deeply affecting. The line "these warriors have weathered the test" is particularly potent. It succinctly encapsulates the trials they have gone through and their unwavering strength in the face of adversity.

    I especially admire the use of metaphoric expressions throughout the poem such as, “Plucked in the prime of their glorious awakening,” it gives a vivid understanding of the sacrifices made by these heroes.

    While this poem is already a remarkable piece of work and resonates with many sentiments shared about veterans, there could have been a little more exploration of their individual emotional journeys beyond their roles as patriots. This could offer a more personal touch and bring readers even closer to the experiences of these veterans.

    I would also suggest incorporating some contrasting imagery to further highlight their strength and resilience. This could serve to make their triumphs even more impactful by juxtaposing them with the challenges they faced.

    Overall though, your poem is a poignant tribute to veterans. Keep sharing your creative gifts with the world!
     
    LikeReply4 months ago

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"From the VA's Waiting Room" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/175287/from-the-va's-waiting-room>.

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