This Wall

by R.G. Collier, Sr.

THERE IS AN AURA HERE –
AN AWESOME CACOPHONY OF UNHEARD VOICES
CRYING OUT IN TOTAL FRUSTRATION
FOR WHAT THEY HAVE ENDURED.

THIS WALL – THIS MEMORIAL – THESE NAMES –
EACH ONE SEEKING ACCEPTANCE.
ENDURING THINGS WE CAN NEVER IMAGINE
AND IN THE END – FALLING IN A USELESS
STRUGGLE: IN AN UNDECLARED CONFLICT.

YOU CANNOT WALK THIS WALL
AND NOT FEEL THEIR PRESENCE HERE –
UNJUSTLY ACCUSED IN A STRUGGLE
NOT OF THEIR MAKING –
UNRECOGNIZED FOR THEIR VALIANT EFFORTS
IN WHAT BECAME AN ENDLESS GAME.

GOD GRANT THAT NEVER AGAIN SHALL WE
SACRIFICE OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS
IN SO MINDLESS AN ENGAGEMENT –
TO THIS, WE MUST GIVE OUR PLEDGE.

COME – ALL OF YOU: TO WALK THIS WALL
AND FEEL THEIR ECHOING SADNESS.

YOU ALL WERE MINE, WHO LINGER HERE –
AND I SHALL NOT FORGET YOU!!