NEW JERSEY MEMORIAL HOME FOR DISABLED VETERANS/ REPOSTED
SORRY TO SAY THAT ALL OF MY STUDENTS HAVE PASSED AWAY, OR ARE LOSING THEIR MEMORIES, BUT I VISIT THE HOME AND SPEND TIME WITH 96-YEAR-OLD EVELYN STERNBERG AS OFTEN AS I CAN. EVELYN IS THE WIDOW OF A DECEASED WORLD WAR II VETERAN. SHE IS LEGALLY BLIND BUT SHE CREATES THE MOST AMAZING STORIES IN HER HEAD AND I HAD STARTED A WEBSITE FOR HER ON POETRYPOEM.COM/EVELYN STERNBERG.
In Honor of Veterans Day
Dedicated to our Terry, Always a Warrior; to my students VietNam Veteran John Grace (Grace John on Poetrypoem), Veteran Kaye Johnson who passed away this year and to World War II hero Milt Joseph, the love of my life, who passed away in January 2011.
Why do I still smile through my own sadness and strife?
It's because so many heroes are saving my life.
I spend each Monday visiting you
Listening to stories told by the brave and the true.
I walk through corridors and say "hi" to the fallen brave
Some of you thankful that you escaped the grave.
I see your blinded eyes and missing limbs
Listen carefully to your garbled speech
Knowing it's so important, our souls to reach
I try to touch you with a smile
And then I know
The smile you return
Makes my sad heart glow.
Annette
November 10, 2011
