If you are looking for a Memorial Day Poem to share with your family or to teach your children the meaning and significance of the day, then you have to the right place. In this article, you will find all kinds of Memorial Day poems, such as Poems of Battle, inspirational poems, Poems for children, etc. Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, was established in 1868 to honor those who died while serving the United States of America.
Best Memorial Day Poem
Memorial Day is a national holiday. Many citizens start the day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, hosting family reunions, and participating in parades. Also reading and sharing Memorial Day Poem such as poems of battle, remembering, sacrifice, and courage is one effective approach to memorialize the deceased. In this way, Americans show their patriotism. Here is a list of Memorial Day Poem, written by different poets.
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Classic Memorial Day Poem
➔ “Before Marching and After” By Thomas Hardy
Orion swung southward aslant
➔ “Not to Keep” by Robert Frost
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➔ “The Spires of Oxford” by Joyce Kilmer
➔ “ To My Brother” by Vera Brittain
Your battle-wounds are scars upon my heart,
Received when in that grand and tragic “show”
You played your part
Two years ago,
And silver in the summer morning sun
I see the symbol of your courage glow—
That Cross you won
Two years ago.
➔ “THe CHarge of the Light Brigade” by Alfred Lord Tennyson
➔ “The Watchers” by John Greenleaf Whittier
Beside a stricken field I stood;
On the torn turf, on grass and wood,
Hung heavily the dew of blood.
Still in their fresh mounds lay the slain,
But all the air was quick with pain
And gusty sighs and tearful rain.
Short Memorial Day Poem
➔ “May Night” by William Ellery Leonard
Blue are the twilight heavens above the hill,
A yellow half-moon’s high within the blue,
And rosy May-night clouds are soft and still,
And all the world beside is shut from view.
The plum-trees, whitening buds and greening shoots,
Close in the dusky cottage; and beyond
The wood-thrush in the hazel-thicket flutes,
And frogs are croaking in the unseen pond.
➔ “Decoration Day” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Sleep, comrades, sleep and rest
On this Field of Grounded Arms,
Where foes no more molest,
Nor sentry’s shot alarms!
Ye have slept on the ground before,
And started to your feet
At the cannon’s sudden roar,
Or the drum’s redoubling beat.
But in this camp of Death
No sound your slumber breaks;
Here is no fevered breath,
No wound that bleeds and aches.
➔ “Memorial Day” by Amos Russel Wells
The Day of Memories! — Remembering what?
The cannon’s roar, the hissing of the shot?
The weary hospital, the prison pen?
The widow’s tears, the groans of stalwart men?
The bitterness of fratricidal strife?
The pangs of death, the sharper pangs of life?
Nay, let us quite forget the whole of these
Upon our sacred Day of Memories.
The Day of Memories! — Remembering what?
The honored dust in every hallowed spot;
The honored names of all our heroes dead;
The glorious land for which they fought and bled;
Our nation’s hopes; the kindly, common good;
The universal bond of brotherhood:
These we remember gladly, all of these,
Upon our sacred Day of Memories.
➔ “After Battle” by Duncan Campbell Scott
➔ “The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke
Long Memorial Day Poem
➔ “Armistice” by Charles Buxton Going
➔ “A Monument for the Soldiers” by James Whitcomb Riley
A monument for the Soldiers!
And what will ye build it of?
Can ye build it of marble, or brass, or bronze,
Outlasting the Soldiers’ love?
Can ye glorify it with legends
As grand as their blood hath writ
From the inmost shrine of this land of thine
To the outermost verge of it?
And the answer came: We would build it
Out of our hopes made sure,
And out of our purest prayers and tears,
And out of our faith secure:
We would build it out of the great white truths
Their death hath sanctified,
And the sculptured forms of the men in arms,
And their faces ere they died.
➔ “The Bivouac of the Dead” by Theodore O’Hara
The muffled drum’s sad roll has beat
The soldier’s last tattoo;
No more on life’s parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On Fame’s eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.
No rumor of the foe’s advance
Now swells upon the wind;
Nor troubled thought at midnight haunts
Of loved ones left behind;
No vision of the morrow’s strife
The warrior’s dream alarms;
No braying horn nor screaming fife
At dawn shall call to arms.
Memorial Day Poem for Kids
➔ “Memorial Day” by Annette Wynne
Is it enough to think to-day
Of all our brave, then put away
The thought until a year has sped?
Is this full honor for our dead?
Is it enough to sing a song
And deck a grave; and all year long
Forget the brave who died that we
Might keep our great land proud and free?
Full service needs a greater toll—
That we who live give heart and soul
To keep the land they died to save,
And be ourselves, in turn, the brave!
➔ “Garlands” by Amos Russel Wells
What are the garlands we lay on the graves?
Heapings of blossoms that loveliest are?
Beauty supreme for the bravest of braves?
Yes, and an offering holier far.
Here are the garlands of memories clear,
Thoughts of the partings the desperate frays,
Marches and prisons and hospitals drear,
Triumphs and woes of those terrible days.
➔ “The American Hero” by Roger J. Robicheau
Nor the lives which were taken away
So closely we stood, so much to bear
September Eleventh stays so clear
Forever changed, our will must endure
Keeping freedom strong within our shore
The bridge of time holds so much to view
Some visions hold heartache, all too true
Those faced with great loss, so understand
The ultimate cost of our free land
God help each one as they meet each day
Your prayers could send your love their way
Remember the brave who march for all
Completely committed to meet each call
As each year passes before our eyes
Our way must sustain, no compromise
Emotions do make us what we are
September Eleventh – Stays Never Far
➔ “One Nation Under God” by Roger J. Robicheau
One Nation Under God we live
Think about all some had to give
We the people share freedom’s life
In a world of ever present strife
Be grateful to those who keep this true
Warriors of our red, white, and blue
They’re trained by those of great skill
Honed to perform, so strong their will
They show what love is all about
They’ll fight for us, there is no doubt
Defending bravely what we are
No holding back each heartfelt star
Highly praise these men and women
Giving thanks time and again
Those in uniform will always be
The golden pride of this country
Here’s a Memorial Day poem for you:
In fields of valor, heroes lay,
Their courage shining through the fray.
On this Memorial Day, we pause to say,
Thank you for the price you paid.
With steadfast hearts, they took a stand,
Defending freedom, our precious land.
Their sacrifice, so bold and grand,
We honor them, a grateful band.
They marched with honor, side by side,
With love of country as their guide.
In memory, they’ll forever abide,
Their legacy, our nation’s pride.
Their names may fade, but not their story,
Their deeds etched in eternal glory.
In our hearts, they live, their spirit free,
United we stand, in unity.
So let us gather, hand in hand,
Remembering those who took a stand.
On this Memorial Day, we expand,
Our gratitude, like a golden strand.
To the fallen heroes, brave and true,
We remember, we honor you.
With reverence and gratitude, we’ll renew,
Our pledge to cherish the red, white, and blue.
On this day, we bow our heads,
With heartfelt prayers, our gratitude spreads.
For the heroes who sleep in hallowed beds,
May their souls find peace, as our love treads.
This Memorial Day, let’s never forget,
The heroes who paid a lifelong debt.
Their sacrifice, a solemn duet,
We honor them, lest we ever fret.
So raise the flag, let it wave high,
In remembrance of those who did fly,
To protect our freedoms, never shy,
On this Memorial Day, we unify.
May their memory forever endure,
In our hearts, steadfast and pure.
Their courage and sacrifice, we ensure,
On this Memorial Day, and forevermore.
Remembering the fallen heroes and expressing gratitude for their sacrifice is at the core of Memorial Day.
Hopefully, after reading this article, you found some Memorial Day Poem collections that you are looking for. Memorial Day is primarily observed to commemorate all of the soldiers who died in various wars. Reciting and sharing a Memorial Day Poem is one effective approach to show our gratitude and pride towards the deceased.
