This Poem was Submitted By: James C. Horak On Date: 2012-03-18 15:07:01 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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The Keep

The ides, now the sixteenth   lost on the hammer-to-the-head dumb All footing for freemen, gone   and a flag with stars falling, the blood Of red bands galling the dead   who braved theirs to place it there Now to be kept, not in embrace, kept from   like the stars laying there in your blood Spent not in courage, but in a ditch, like                                  a dog
Copyright © March 2012 James C. Horak

Additional Notes:
Who has a clue what just took place day-before-yesterday? JCH

This Poem was Critiqued By: Mark Steven Scheffer On Date: 2012-04-07 22:26:45
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
JCH, My fav of yours this month. Love the placing of those commas in the first stanza. MSS

This Poem was Critiqued By: cheyenne smyth On Date: 2012-03-21 17:53:16
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi JCH, So this event took place on the Ides of March. Since my short term memory took a hike I have to think back to the 15th to answer your question. It may be the senseless murder, by an American, of innocent people and some just children. I don't think you are speaking of the watchman who shot to death a black boy because of your reference to our flag. Now to be kept, not in embrace, kept from like the stars laying there in your blood Spent not in courage, but in a ditch, like a dog I can't think of anything, I have read recently, that is more powerful than the lines above. He did shoot them like dogs, not out of courage but with disdain. Now he says he has no memory of doing the deed. Good Lord what is our country coming to? Well....I don't know if I am right or wrong about the essence of your poem but this is how your words speak to me. Well done. Best wishes, cheyenne
This Poem was Critiqued By: Tony P Spicuglia On Date: 2012-03-20 10:38:17
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
On reading your comment- a general comment I assume; and watching the unremarkable bilge that daily recreates itself amongh those with no vision, regards your piece with lights of red. That freedom is at stake is obvious except to those who don’t see it, will never see it, many even after it is gone. That those who have braved life and sacred honor for the standard- then held once again, in unremarkable understanding- honor remains whether recognized or not. Or does it? In the unremarkable the condition of direction and redemption may lie. It is infuriating. A very poignant image.
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