Shadows

     

               

This poem was written by my mom when I was in Navy Bootcamp at Bainbridge Navel Base, Bainbridge, MD from September to December of 1969. At that time women in the Navy were called Waves which stood for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service started in August, 1942. I think it still would be a good poem for all Waves, Military women, even all people – women or men.

 

 

                         Shadows

 

Look there, you can see them in the early light

Vague shapeless shadows from out of the night.

From out of the fog and the slow drizzling rain

You can see them passing again and again.

Dark and eerie they emerge in the early dawn. 

Hooded figures in precision groups, marching on.

Nameless and shapeless they appear in this light,

And each has their own battle to fight.

But most are strong willed, not complaining when tired.

Some shadows disappear as the sun starts to shine,

Burning away the fog and the weak left behind.

The strong must go forward to conquer a land,

A land with strife and uncertainty on each hand.

They march steadily forward with heads held high.

Most never look back with heartache or sigh.

The day wears on and the sun gets brighter.

They carry there loads with hearts that are lighter.

Commands are followed and lessons are learned.

The shadows begin to take the shapes they have earned.

After a time that seems endless, but is really quite soon,

The shadows become beautiful as butterflies at noon.

The beautiful butterflies, a job they must do.

So they work and they try to carry the job through.

They are searching for peace and love in mankind.

This they must have, not in the whole world,

               But in their own mind.

They do their jobs and duties learn,

For distant places are now their concern.

Then you think they are gone, but then

In the distance, out of the mist, another Wave of them,

And on they come. Wave, after Wave, after Wave.             

                                  By Kate Barnett