| 
			
			
				
					| 
						
							
								| 
								POW/MIAMissing Man Ceremony
 |  |  |  
					| There's a table in the front Raised so that it draws attention
 Reserved for all those missing
 Still not found or in detention.
 
 Set for six of those missing
 One each, for branches Serving
 One place for lost Civilians
 Whom, are felt just as deserving.
 
 The table is shaped in the round
 For the everlasting concern
 As all of us, hope and pray
 Someday they all, will return.
 
 The tablecloth is bright white
 To symbolize the purity
 Of those, answering the call
 Of their Country, doing their Duty.
 
 The single rose, in a vase
 For the lifeblood of those lost
 And for those awaiting answers
 A sad part of Wartime's cost.
 
 The vase, tied with red ribbon
 A symbol of determination
 To account for those still missing
 In the Service of our Nation.
 
 A slice of lemon on the bread plate
 For missing/captured in a foreign land
 The bitter fate of some Heroes
 Who chose to make a valiant stand.
 
 A pinch of salt for all those tears
 Shed, by missing and their Families
 Seeking answers to their questions
 From all those faraway countries.
 
 The Bible represents the strength
 Gained through Faith, to sustain
 Those missing on foreign shores
 Where, far too many, still remain!
 
 Each of their glasses are inverted
 Because, they can't share the toast
 That, one day we can account for them
 What we want, first and foremost.
 
 The candle is a light of Hope
 To illuminate the way back home
 To the loved ones who are waiting
 Across the sea to Homeland's loam.
 
 The chair just sits there empty
 A place saved for just the one
 Who has yet, to come home
 And one each, for their brethren.
 
 An Honor Guard places covers
 On each empty dinner plate
 For the Services and Civilian
 Who have met, this terrible fate.
 
 "Taps" is played, and "Some Gave All"
 With a spotlight on their table
 With a toast, for their accounting, sworn
 For, as long as we all are able.
 
 This solemn Honors Ceremony
 Symbolizes they are here with us
 Hoping someday, they will be back
 This wish, the most, in God we trust.
 
 This can be done for six or one
 For, the meaning is the same
 That all, will be returned one day
 This, we pray, in Heaven's Name.
 |  
					| By 
					Del "Abe" Jones Copyright 2008
 Listed 
					September 23, 2009
 |  |