I hold a photo of my father –
on that last Remembrance Day –
am awed by the person we never knew.
Just fifteen, he signed on,
joined ranks with an elite squad,
trained for unarmed combat.
He wears his Commando’s beret,
medals proudly adorning his breast –
symbols whose meanings are now lost.
They were the best and the brightest –
sleuthing out enemy stores, carrying
operative data to oncoming troops.
He cried that day, as candles glowed –
tears for the fallen – “Good men,”
he muttered, squeezing my hand.
A suicide mission, he’d called it,
armed with a knife and hands
of steel – a black pill if caught.
By day, he never spoke of war,
at night, he screamed in terror.
Why such a mission? I asked.
He’d had his own secret cause –
a war waging within him –
bent on eradicating a tragic flaw.
War made my father – a disciplined,
regimented man of iron, intimidating,
fearless – machismo at its best.
He returned a hero, celebrated
with his hometown, and left again –
the lie still burning within him.
Father was a valiant soldier –
counted himself privileged
to serve beside the honourable.
At fifteen, a girl whose body
belied her existence, enlisted
in a fight to become a man.
(The original version of In Remembrance appeared November 11, 2015. I resubmit it here, edited, for my weekly challenge: sacrifice. My father sacrificed his life during the war, and then went on to sacrifice his true identity for the rest of his years. November 11th is Remembrance Day in Canada, a time to honour those who fought for our freedom. )
Takes my breath away to even think about what he/they went through
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pleasure
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very beautiful and heartfelt piece! I was thinking of one of my relatives who was basically the dad I wished I had and his sacrifice and strength in dealing with the horrors of war.
LikeLiked by 1 person
glad you could relate. Thanks so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing.😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful and poignant ode to your father VJ. Thank you for sharing. Your words wake us up to the Truth of Remembrance Day. 💗 #sacrifice #freedom #love
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Andrea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
a very powerful tribute to your father and also a lot between the lines.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There was a lot between the lines to my father – thanks Gina.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i totally understand and respect what you have written
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, sincerely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very moving story, still relevant for many confronting perceived “imperfections” and for all of us a call to “let it be” with others’ true identities.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly. Thanks, Jazz.
LikeLike
Lovely tribute in Remembrance of your father.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a moving tribute. And remembrance.
LikeLike
This is beautiful
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tina
LikeLiked by 1 person
Intensely moving.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haunting and powerful, V.J. Thank you for sharing your work here. ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Heide.
LikeLiked by 1 person