The "Spirit of America" Service

Watching the service from NY City

Tears of longing
with nowhere to go
force their way, flowing.
The power of the destitute
and of the fallen hero,
hurrying up to and fro,
kindles the eternal awe
of the pompous with the ego.
In the paradise of ruins
with reverence and belief
sings the music of grief,
an angel of fortitude.