Arlington National Cemetary <br /> <br />Tomb of the Unknowns. <br />A sarcophagus for the living, <br />for sarcophagi are for the living. <br />But these dead unknowns are unknowing— <br />They are agnostic, <br />and we are agnostic. <br /> <br />The tomb is heavy white marble – <br />cold, without human warmth, <br />with the epitaph, <br />“Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God”. <br />Author unknown. <br />He is “known but to God”, <br />but he is unknowing, <br />and we are unknowing. <br />We are all agnostic <br /> <br />Honor and glory need no warmth <br />excepting the fire of victory. <br />Sarcophagi are for the living, <br />Memories are for the living. <br />But will our memories be warm? <br />Will we be remembered? <br />We are all unknowns. <br /> <br />We have populated Earth <br />with our billions, <br />unknown and unknowing <br />and we will always be unknown and unknowing. <br /> <br />Who made the first <br />paper? <br />cup handle? <br />copper, steel? <br />bow and arrow? <br />writing? <br />arithmetic? <br />house? <br />cloth & clothing? <br />nails? <br />playing cards? <br />board game? <br /> <br />No Jesus, <br />No Elvis Presly <br />No Aristotle <br />No Beatles <br />No Einstein <br />No Rolling Stones <br />No Buddha <br />No Alfred Hitchcock <br />No George Washington <br />No Madam Curie <br /> <br />We are all unknown and unknowing, <br />as the soldierly unknowns are unknown and unknowing. <br />And being so, we are empty.<br /><br />Fred Babbin<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/arlington-national-cemetary/
