April Musings - 17. Requiem

The officer was part of the underwater rescue team.  He died during a routine training operation when his tether snapped.  It took five days to recover his body.  Hence the reference to water.  

9 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

It's always shame but like Michael said, he'd died doing what he loved and his duty.  This is a lovely tribute, Val.  I told Michael about your poem, he said He'll come online later to read it.

Thank you, Tim.  From what I've read of this officer, he loved his job and was a vibrant part of his community.  He served for 17 years in Iraq.  He was a K-9 officer in addition to being on the underwater rescue team.  Our whole area has been in mourning.  Stores sold out of blue light bulbs because so many people put them on their houses front lights in tribute.  The news posted a pic of a rainbow over the Niagara River (where he died) this morning.  The caption read that even mother nature was paying tribute.  

13 minutes ago, Parker Owens said:

This poem captures images so perfectly. - I can see the waters, the flags snapping in a fresh, crisp breeze, bare trees - your drought clearly led to a beautifully blossomed rainfall. 

Thank you so much, Parker  

4 hours ago, Headstall said:

A stunning poem and tribute, Val!  I absolutely love the last five lines... so powerful... you capture the grief while exalting and including nature... Gary...  

Thank you so much, Gary   

4 hours ago, BDANR said:

What a nicely done poem, Valkyrie. The images you evoked were beautiful, as difficult as the subject matter your writing about is, but it was written well. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for your kind words.   

7 minutes ago, Defiance19 said:

There I such reverence in this touching tribute Val... Well done.. 

Thanks, Defiance.  Our whole community is in mourning.  All of our dayhab rooms at work today had the funeral on.  The local news live streamed it on TV.   

20 minutes ago, mogwhy said:

this wasn't so much as a poem as is was a heart-cry of a community in loss

Thanks Moggy.  That's exactly what I was going for.   

11 hours ago, MichaelS36 said:

It's always difficult when a fellow officer dies. Your poem is crisp, in that it evokes a cool day, flags snapping in the breeze, officers in attendance, the family. It is a day to mourn our lost brother, to be proud of who he was, and a day to remember him, and all other men and women everywhere who each day put themselves in harm's way, to keep us safe. A touching and beautiful poem.

Thanks, Michael.  I appreciate your thoughts.