Silent Sentry

The silent sentry stands tall, alone
a single tree whose leaves are brown
but refuse to deposit themselves
upon the sacred ground.

Not today, no not today.
For today, their attention is for you.

The flag nearby at half of staff this day
gently flapping in the wind
most gently red, then white, then blue.

The silent sentry he does mourn,
due to a war most far away, and
for another Michigan service man,
you have died
and will soon be softly lowered to the ground.
Your casket draped
most gently red, then white, then blue.

Your mother's or your spouse's tears or both,
but not the sentry's leaves,
will fall most gently on top of you.
And only then will the sentry's leaves
release the love standing guard for you.