Hallway of Heroes

My worn boot heels echo
upon the polished hallway tile.
Sometimes soft tiptoes
are more appropriate
than a purposeful stride.

From dusty walls
and cobwebbed portraits,
dull eyes watch
as I pass along
this avenue of the lost.

I try not to think
eerie thoughts,
knowing all these men
have met Death
at her harshest and bloodiest.

A cracked glass
and faded picture
catches my attention.
I wipe cobwebs
from a forgotten boy.

A brittle brass nameplate,
edged in green, is etched
with “1918” and “Verdun.”
I wonder if he knows we still fight
long after World War One.

I turn to leave
this hall of heroes,
saying a prayer of thanks
and hoping God watches
my generation’s warriors.

My worn boot heels echo
upon the polished hallway tile.
Sometimes soft tiptoes
are more appropriate
than a purposeful stride.

______________________________

Lou Marin, a Christian grateful for Jesus’ gift to him, was born and raised in the western hills of Maine, then spent 20 plus years wandering the country and world in the United States Air Force. Maine Department of American Legion’s Historian, he is a photographer and stringer for The Maine Trust for Local News, published poet and short story writer who pens faith based devotionals. He lives in Rumford, Maine. He is author of an anthology of poems based upon his military career entitled “Dimly Seen Through The Mists,” and a book of faith based poems entitled “My Lighthouse In Troubled Times,” available through Pen It! Publications.

Lou can be reached at mbsphotog@yahoo.com or his Facebook Page.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.