By Douglas J. Lanzo
Uncommon Valor
“Uncommon valor was a common virtue.”
Admiral Chester Nimitz of our men who fought on Iwo Jima
Standing before the flag
raised atop Mount Suribachi
a marine did ask me
whether I had any questions:
I nodded, and heard sounds, saw scenes,
of men and carnage, primal screams,
of death and valor, heroes downed,
marines cut down, by pill box rounds,
grenades, flamethrowers, tossed in caves
exploding lives, becoming graves,
men fighting to their dying breaths,
rare courage witnessed, in their deaths.
Amidst the chaos, silhouettes,
of sacrifice, without regrets,
a platoon scrambled up the face
with flag in tow, as if in race,
and planted it, in sacred ground,
to cheers of men, and ships around.
That was the first flag raised that day,
amidst the hell, with lives that paid,
for each foot fought, for liberty,
freeing the world, from tyranny.
Commanders thought, the flag too small,
and ordered men, to stand one tall,
to wave and flourish in the air,
amidst the sounds of guns and flare.
Six men did answer to that call,
mounting the summit, giving all,
for those that gazed, with hope that day,
that fate would guide them through the fray:
three of them never saw the light
that followed the end of the fight,
fallen heroes of our country,
who died so that we could be free.
“Do you have any more questions?”
the marine standing there did ask.
Shaking my head, saluting him,
I stood and gazed upon the mast.
Song from Heaven, Piercing Hell
From the depths of darkness
resounding in despair,
the voice of Bocelli
pierced through the morning air,
in the mind of a hostage —
bringing hope to each day,
that she would gain freedom…
with God to light her way,
returning to loved ones,
eight full grandchildren strong,
hearing their sweet voices,
calling the whole day long.
Vowing never to break,
she displayed iron will,
never crying out loud —
determined, keeping still;
sleeping on rows of chairs,
no bathroom in her cell;
no showers for her care;
no sunlight in her hell.
The voice of one singer
transported her away,
to beauty of heavens…
she felt, when she did pray.
Freed in the first exchange
of prisoners released,
when the two sides did pause…
returning her in peace.
When Bocelli did learn
of how his words did heal —
releasing her of pain,
throughout her whole ordeal,
he was touched to his core,
writing her from his heart,
admiring her courage,
with strength, standing stalwart.
No honor was greater
than hearing how his words
had welled up within her,
angelic in its chords.
He offered to fly her
to hear him sing again —
but this time in person,
her choosing where and when:
in public performance
or her private concert,
for his words to ease pain,
and release her from hurt…
Doug is an award-winning author whose Newbery-nominated, debut novel, The Year of the Bear, won the 2023 Ames Awards for Young Adult Books and several other literary awards. His second book, a riveting military romance suspense novel entitled I Have Lived, was released internationally on April 30th. Doug’s poetry has been published in 74 literary journals and anthologies in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, England, Wales, Austria, Mauritius, India, Japan and Australia. He and his award-winning haiku poet twin sons enjoy nature, fishing, tennis, snorkeling and hiking. His Author’s website is at www.douglaslanzo.com.
Academy of the Heart And Mind 