Thick silence consumes

A well-lit room.

Women start to cry,

Men lower their heads.

The song begins to play,

The bugle call

Reverberates through

The giant hall.

The Honor Guard

Has taken their place,

Standing tall and resolute,

Betraying no emotion.

The guns are fired

Outside the doors,

Each shot bringing

New waves of sadness.

Silence follows,

A prayer is said

For the fallen soldier,

My father’s best friend.