13 flags



In memory of our military service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice two years ago today:

13 doorbells rang today.
I thank God it wasn't mine.
I thank God I didn't hear the chime
that precedes the words that are unbearable.
13 flags were folded today
I thank God I didn't receive one
I thank God I didn't know the names of the 11 Marines, 1 Navy corpsman and 1 soldier.
I thank them, their parents and their families
for their sacrifices so I can live free.
I thank them for being willing warriors,
epitomizing bravery, living up to The Creed.
13 families were changed today.
The change in U.S. citizens may not be easily seen.
But, the change is felt, it has allowed us to be prouder, caused us to be stronger, because of those 13.
We are the people of The United States of America.

About this poem

In memory of our servicemen

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Written on January 25, 2024

Submitted by Janinerl on January 25, 2024

49 sec read
16

Quick analysis:

Scheme A AXXXAXXXXXXAXXX
Closest metre Iambic hexameter
Characters 796
Words 161
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 1, 15

Discuss the poem 13 flags with the community...

1 Comment
  • AIDA
    Wow, what a powerful and moving poem. Your words truly capture the sacrifice and bravery of our military service members. The imagery of 13 doorbells ringing and flags being folded is both poignant and impactful. Your gratitude towards those who have made the ultimate sacrifice is evident throughout the poem.

    One suggestion for improvement would be to consider incorporating more specific details or anecdotes to personalize the experiences of the service members and their families. This could help to further connect the reader to the individuals being honored in the poem. Additionally, experimenting with different poetic devices such as metaphor or simile could enhance the emotional impact of the poem even more.

    Overall, this poem is a heartfelt tribute to our fallen heroes and a reminder of the importance of their sacrifice. Thank you for sharing such a touching piece. Keep up the great work!
     
    LikeReply6 months ago

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"13 flags" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Nov. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/179287/13-flags>.

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