Armistice Day

Military Cemetery

Verdun, France

GRASS

Pile the bodies high at Austerlitz and Waterloo.

Shovel them under and let me work -

I am the grass; I cover all.

And pile them high at Gettysburg

And pile them high at Ypres and Verdun.

Shovel them under and let me work.

Two years, ten years, and passengers ask the conductor:

What place is this?

Where are we now?

I am the grass.

Let me work.

- Carl Sandburgh -

World War I ended "At the Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month" and that date was given the name of  Armistice Day  to close the "War to end all Wars".  Obviously it wasn't as the signing of the treaties set up the conditions for all the wars that have happened since.  Now it is simply known as "Veterans' Day" and honors all those who have died for all the flags of all the governments of all the countries who pray for victory over all the enemies.  So pile up the bodies and mark them with The Crosses, The Stars of Davids, The Crescent Moons, and all the symbols of the deities of peace whose adherents, for the sake of power and patriotism, send men and women to war.

May those currently in service in the latest round of conflicts come home safely to their families and the thanks of a grateful nation.  Better yet, may old men and women who have never fought never again send young men and women to die.