The Caravan
July 12, 2009 – 7:48 am
A caravan of hungry friends
Stopped by a train
Annoyed and embarrassed I shrugged an apology
At my choice of restaurant
Beyond the tracks
Three, four, seven minutes passed
The train a dead stop right in front of us
Switchman jumping out to
Redirect its cargo left
To the air base
That’s when I noticed
Eight-five beds of Army Jeeps
Five on each
Destined for places initialed on the windshield
Barcoded and stickered in Army jargon
Their sandy camouflage our only clue
Seeing them up close I couldn’t help but
See my nephew at the helm
Other young men and women in heavy gear
110 degrees in the shade
Ever alert, never really resting
Poised in foreign deserts
A moment from death
Or worse, disfigurement, despair
A lonely attitude their constant companion
Boredom their only respite
And here we were
Casually watching from the sidelines
Hands cheering them on
Hearts fearing them gone
Praying for their safe return
Stomachs growling a new growl
A hunger for peace
10 Responses to “The Caravan”
What a perfect reminder for this Sunday morning, another Sunday of FREEDOM in this ailing, but wonderful country we call home.Thank you for the reminder of what so many of our brothers and sisters around the world hunger for.
Beth
By Beth Smoak on Jul 12, 2009
Trish,
Good photo and wonderful poem. Thanks.
By Jane on Jul 12, 2009
Misty-eyed. I loved it. xx h
By Hartley on Jul 12, 2009
This is just another reminder of the cost of the freedom we so casually accept. I often wonder how many of us ever stop to reflect on the many things that are required to ensure that we live in this free country with out many blessings. Thank you for your words and reminder of the many young men and women fighting to keep us safe at home.
By Sue Lawley on Jul 12, 2009
Working alot in Goose Creek now and being so close to the bases- I see alot of caravan activity and think of my son-in-law, who is on his 3rd trip to the “desert”. He left in Sept and is scheduled to return around Oct or Nov. I often wonder if people can honestly comprehend the sacrifices individuals are making so far from home. Trish, I Enjoy your pics and thoughtful messages, I try to read them on a daily basis! keep it up!
By Tina on Jul 12, 2009
Our men and women in the service will carry us through if they are allowed to do thier jobs. just June
By June Van steyn on Jul 12, 2009
God bless them each and every one!!!
just JUne
By June Van steyn on Jul 12, 2009
Saw you jump out of the car to take this photo, somehow I didn’t mind the long wait at the crossing. It was a reminder of what others are giving up for all of us.
By Ellen Straub on Jul 12, 2009
After speaking with many of you who were there, it occurred to me that none of us discussed it at lunch. The whole incident came, made its impression and went, without word or comment from any in the group.
Another thought: as we each sat there or stood by, in that period of time, we were no longer Republicans or Democrats, choosing sides in an abstract political argument. Instead we were simply women standing together, wives, mothers, aunts and grandmothers relating from our loving hearts rather than our political minds.
By Trish Bender on Jul 13, 2009
Trish, I was at the other end of the table(s) and myself and Terri were talking about what they were and where they were probably heading. We didn’t go in depth but our facial expressions showed what our hearts were feeling watching them go by on that long line. It is true that I didn’t get impatient waiting because I thought of who they were going to protect and I prayed for all who would be using them.
By Barbara Knight on Jul 13, 2009