WORLD WAR II

 

 The names of states were carved in stone around

   The wall of the Memorial, where posed

Beneath each wreath old men in veteran’s caps

   Embroidered with the companies they served.

One struggled from a wheelchair parked beside

   The state of Maine and stood expectantly

Beneath that word, and someone who passed by

   Said blithely, “Well now, you must be from Maine!”

But one who might have been the soldier’s son

   Replied, “Not really; he’s from Illinois.

He don’t know what it says,” and guided him 

   With tenderness and patience to the state

Where he should pose. The crowd flowed slowly by,

   Like water from the bright Reflecting Pool.