Home of the Brave

Home of the Brave



As light fades from the evening skies,
the shadows lay in final rest.
The flags, moved by the wind's soft sighs,
stand vigilant o'er ground that's blessed.

He kneels beside his father's grave
as light fades from the evening skies.
This is the true home of the brave.
He wipes at tears in pride filled eyes.

The markers, in a hero's guise,
stretch out as far as he can see
as light fades from the evening skies.
Such is the price of liberty.

A bugle sounds a mournful tune
in elegy. The last note dies.
These memories in stone are hewn
as light fades from the evening skies.

An entry for "Poetic Traditions Poetry Contest " 
Prompt: Open
Form: Quatern ~ sixteen line French form composed of four quatrains. It is similar to the Kyrielle and the Retourne. It has a refrain that is in a different place in each quatrain. The first line of stanza one is the second line of stanza two, third line of stanza three, and fourth line of stanza four. A quatern has eight syllables per line. It does not have to be iambic or follow a set rhyme scheme.

elegy ~ a lament for the dead; a sad or mournful musical composition
hewn ~ to make, shape, smooth, etc., with cutting blows