In Their Company ...

He was a Soldier...

In the bellicistic bonfires
of Babylon and beyond,
he sleeps tonight,
in the quieter embers .

The final fire has consumed
another baby with a due date
not yet set ablaze, and the fleck
of coal dusted nights sparking
kisses between lovers for life.

In the batallion of the human heart,
there is so much to survey,
to bring to attention.
Yet so much silence is speaking as well.

" At ease Soldier, Take your leave. "

Theirs would be a fine assembly,
if we could line each of them up,
and march them out
as a force to be reckoned with.
"Company L ! at your command... "

But now is not that time -

Now is the time to inspect each
brave , and honorable soul ,
enflamed with the insignia
of an individual fire,
carrying their own banners tonight.

Take roll call,
saying their names quietly -
one by one.

John Phinn Lyons -
died in the "Easter Uprising"
Patrick Doyne Lyons -
died outside of Dublin in a skirmish with English soldiers
Henry Edwin Leo Lyons -
died on board ship as a naval escort to President Harding
Daniel Bartholmew Lyons -
died in his bed, after a youth service to the Irish Republican Army
Robert Dean Lyons -
died in his bed, after service to the Irish Republican Army,
and in the duration of the Korean War
John Lester Lyons Jr.-
died in his bed, after service to the Irish Republican Army,
and as a Army liason to the refugees of several WW2 Holocaust camps
James Leo Lyons -
died in a hospice far from his home, after service to the Irish Republican Army,
and in the duration of the Korean War, where he recieved two bronze stars for service beyond the call of duty.

Their commander in chief waits ,
beyond the gates ,
of a stone garden with them ,
to welcome Sarge home...