In Honor of L. Morris Frankenbery
all works of art and poetry copyrighted 2009 by dc riggs all rights reserved
When Life's Last Leaves Have Fallen
dc riggs acrylic 9x12
on gessoboard © 091009
Honoring L. Morris Frankenbery
25 Oct 1924 – 6 September 2009
His mom gave birth to a lovely baby boy
his parents pride, their joy
Uniontown’s newest
Morris Frankenbery arrived
from infant days he’d grown, thrived.
Born with the birth of Little Orphan Annie
long-standing comic strip fame
Johnnie Weissmuller set a free-style record
A Pulitzer Prize was awarded to Robert Frost
the F.B.I. got J. Edgar Hoover as boss.
U.S. Army planes that year, circled the globe
Morris, the young man, would later fly
to serve his Nation, in peace and also in war
Army Air Corps, U.S. Air Force, Boeing too
service to family, God, Country he was always true.
Parents of a new born wonder what the future holds
for Morris they need not fear
a loving, kind, and gentleman he became
husband, father, to many a friend
a servant of Jesus Christ to life’s very end.
Many mourn, regret as he passed from this life
into the realm of heaven’s shore
because he by many was loved
welcomed by our Lord with a “Well Done!”
discovering new heights of peace, joy, and fun.
dc riggs © 28 September 2009
With currents of air we are lifted high
to heights beyond the reach of birds
with wings and courage
we float through the clouds
almost touching
the sky of purest blue
to our Nation and tradition ever true.
U.S. Air Force or the Army Air Corps
patriotic Americans to our foundation’s core.
The list of our comrades in arms
is long, times of peace and times of war
those who handle yoke or stick
navigators, gunners, gave the pay
those who turned the wrench
leaders, followers, those who prayed
some were brief, others for a career stayed.
U.S. Air Force or the Army Air Corps
patriotic Americans to our foundation’s core.
From biplanes shaped of wood and wire
to powerful engines, piston and jet
we created history
kept our Nation secure, made her great
some died in combat’s danger, we remember
others of illness, as the years advanced their age
we had our share of the foolish, but also of the sage.
U.S. Air Force or the Army Air Corps
patriotic Americans to our foundation’s core.
dc riggs 8 September 2009
