No Cries for the Poor
Dusk waits
as the homeless guy
sad, forlorn stands
on Christmas Eve
on 42nd Street
in New York
When New Year’s
kicks in, the kind
gentleman dies
on the street, a purple
heart in his pocket—
no one to take him in
-- Ralph Steadman
In 1782 George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army in the American war of independence against the UK, established the Badge of Military Merit, a heart made of purple cloth. In 1931 army chief of staff Douglas MacArthur authorized work on a new design. Elizabeth Will, an Army heraldic specialist in the Office of the Quartermaster General, created the overall design, and John R. Sinnock, the chief engraver of the US Mint, made a plaster model. president Franklin Roosevelt revived the "Purple Heart" medal on the 200th anniversary of washington's birth. The 1st one was actually awarded to MacArthur for his actions in World War I. In 1942 the decoration was applied to all military branches and limited to war-related wounds.
ReplyDeleteDear Duane,
ReplyDeleteThank you for publishing our poem and for taking time to present this historical synopsis. Having editors like you that take time to advance the experience of poems published is a gift. I really appreciate all the time you put into publishing this poem by Sunil and I. I enjoy writing with him.
Wishing you ongoing success with your journal in the New Year!
Blessings,
Karen
I echo sister Karen's views. This site is my fav stop because of its unique personality. friend Duane spends lots of energies here and the background info by him can easily function as stand-alone articles.
ReplyDeleteKudos!
Sister Karen brims with enthusiasm and she is full of humanism, so lacking in our actions and writings.
Dear Sunil and Duane,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy writing with Sunil as are our words seem to compliment each other delving a bit deeper than each of us could explore a theme on our own.
Duane, it is such a pleasure to work with you and feel blessed to be able to share my words here...and Sunil also at Setu. Sharing the creative experience is such a gift.
Thank you both for your kind words. Wishing you the best in the New Year!
Blessings,
Karen
This war veteran, as presented in this co-write, sadly represents many others who live and die forgotten. The purple heart in his pocket is a touching reminder of how quickly our deeds pass into oblivion. Well done to both Karen & Sunil, and thanks also to Duane for the interesting information which compliments the poem itself. Regards // paul
ReplyDeleteDear Paul,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words on our collaborative poem. I've glad you enjoyed Duane's popular and well-published journal.
Blessings,
Karen