The meeting was at once begun
When all were standing solemnly;
Attended by the highest ranks,
Deciding what our futures be.

The few good men were men of war;
A council of defense you see,
Gathered in a time of peace,
And standing all observed by me.

The chaplain stood in front of all
And bid us bow our head in prayer,
And every head was bowed as one.
Each head was humbly bowed in there.

A nation falling morally;
Corrupting quick with sin,
Showed there the slightest ray of hope
The devil would not win.

"In God We Trust" they still believed.
Observing this allowed for me
To see that day the slightest hope
That still observed by us is He.

Copyright © 1997 by Randal A. Burd, Jr.

Publications: Scarborough, ME: I Believe, The Armadillo Poetry Press, 1998

Author's Note: Poems viewed here are the latest versions and are not necessarily word-for-word as published.