Noticed her peonies, the red ones still
Colorful, and the white ones almost
Spent.
They reminded me of the ones Mom grew
In her glorious garden.
But we called them "pineys."
I remember picking the posies with
Mom, arranging them in tin
Cans and transporting them to the
Cemetery, just up the road.
It was how we decorated for
Decoration Day.
It was how we remembered both
Sets of my grandparents who had
Passed on.
Flags were scattered about the
Cemetery, placed in front of the
Soldier's tombstones.
I was too young to appreciate
Their sacrifice.
But now I wonder.
Were the men brave as they
Fought for our freedom on
Foreign soil?
I imagine they were as scared as
They were courageous,
Mostly farm boys who were
Simply doing their duty.
The neighbor's peonies brought back
Memories of home, and loved ones
Long gone.
And they stirred up gratitude for the
Dutiful men whose graves are marked
With a flag.