Out of the Sun

The Arizona engulfed December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor

Out of the sun on the quiet Sunday they came

Steel birds of death blazened with red suns raining fiery havoc on Battleship Row.

One by one, ruthless planes dove, destroyed to their nation’s shame

Thunderous explosions scattered fiery death on Sunday dawn's glow.

Flames belched from bowels of stricken Arizona, America’s pride,

On Hicham Field pilots raced to planes to defend

As their birds were crippled on ground by Zeros’ glide

Gunners in turrets on ships floundering filled skies with flack’s din.

In search of carriers the marauders could not find

They ruthlessly strafed and bombed leaving Pearl

In smoking ruin, ships sunk, burning as raiders flew into the Sun

The day of infamy had been ignited in the Zeros’ swirl.

The Attack Begins 8 AM December 7, 1941

As America listened a world away, a somber FDR

Spoke of December 7 as ever a day that will live in infamy.

America must never forget that  Pearl Harbor Scar

When an unsuspecting America slept in complacency.

To the 2,403 who perished that day under merciless bombs

Hails of bullets,  terror of torpedos out of nowhere

America must remember forces against our freedoms

Relentlessly work always to surprise us with deadly bombs’ glare.

Vigilence is the price of freedom that must always be defended

Against those who would destroy our republic from within

As well as the dark forces in far off places we have offended.

But the answer is not curtailing freedom at home rather it to champion.

The USS Arizona lies in Pearl’s waters, bleeding the lives

Of her men through the eerie eternal slick marking the rusting hulk.

Beneath Pearl’s waters, the blood of free people oozes from the shadowy bulk,

Bleeding forever, freedom's spirit living forever in lost lives remembered.

She never rests.