FEATURES
6A
Readers’ poems honor
veterans on this Memorial Day
Dear Readers: When we
asked you to try your hand at a
gender-inclusive piece for Inde-
pendence Day, we also received
several poems that seemed more
appropriate for Memorial Day.
Therefore, we have decided to
print two of them on this occa-
sion. We think they both express
moving sentiments.
“Gold Star Mother” by
Gene Nelson, Manitowoc,
Wisconsin
The sounds of battle long
have ceased,
Peace conquered war and
death.
Yet memories whisper from
those years,
With cruel, untiring breath.
Yes, peace has come, the
peace so dear,
For which men fought and
died.
But there are some who’ll
never have,
Peace way down deep inside.
And so we humbly bow our
heads,
Some things can’t be undone.
Our prayers may help to ease
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy
Mitchell and
Marcy Sugar
the pain,
For those who lost a son.
We won’t forget your sacriice,
We’ll heed, some way or
other.
That dying soldier’s last
request:
“Take good care of my
mother.”
“After Visiting The Viet-
nam War Memorial” by Mary
Whiteman Abel of Guilford,
Connecticut
Malcolm, John, Stephen,
Bruce — etched in stone
Thoughts of tears, blood,
screams, death —
letters home...
James, Arthur, Michael, Tim
—
Let me be brave as my hand
tries to touch
each name engraved on the
black stone —
And then my eyes ill with
tears...
Samuel, Paul, Donald, Seth
—
There is warmth beneath my
hand...
Stirring the memories of other
wars —
Invasion of Normandy
Pork Chop Hill
Desert Storm
A letter to a sailor
Every war, conlict or effort
that our young
men and women were sent to...
I can feel the rough lettering
as my hand glides across the
warm marble...
David, Joseph, Richard,
Ben...
I was there with each of these
people.
They are chiseled in my heart
and soul for eternity.
They have made their sacri-
ice to mankind.
Peter, Mark, Brian, Tom...
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Push on with
the herculean effort. You’ll go faster and
you’ll finish stronger if you allow things to be
stupendously imperfect, at least for now. You
can always go back later and clean it up.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Stand behind
your decisions. There is no room for doubt, no
reason to change things up, no need to quick-
ly come up with something new. Hold your
head up high, and deliver what you created.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re the
power in your life. No one is going to charge
your battery; you have to do it yourself. One
thing, though: Avoid the charging station that
worked last time. Diversify. Spread out. Find
one in a different part of town.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Partnerships
will need to be hashed out verbally. Stay on
track, especially if you have a less-than-
pleasant history with someone. Don’t let the
issue switch from the original subject to one
of personal rivalry.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). One study sug-
gests that a typical college student will pull
two all-nighters per school year, resulting
in better academic performance for only a
meager fraction of students. As for you, ear-
ly-to-bed will bring no regrets.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). In the past you
developed this whole style of coping that
worked so well you’re still using a lot of it to-
day. The question is: Is this still necessary, or
does it unreasonably limit you?
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Sometimes
you give compliments because you’re nice
and you like to make people feel good. To-
day you’re a little more calculating, though,
and your compliments are aimed at getting
someone to lower his or her defenses.
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). If you have
to talk about your problem, do it in personal
terms, describing how it affects your life and
expressing all of the feelings that come up
around it. There’s strength in honest vulner-
ability.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). As you
get older you care less and less about being
liked. However, there’s nothing to gain from
behaving in an unlikeable fashion. Today, the
more they like you, the better your position
will be.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There’s a
tall order with your name on it. With the right
attitude you’ll finish the job before Friday.
Avoid negative thinkers, and rewire your own
thought processes. Relentless optimism is
called for.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). What you’re
trying to do is no small feat. This is going to
take time and persistence. Today will be major-
ly productive if you put your critical mind aside.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The differ-
ence between dishing the dirt and mud-
slinging is only a few drops of water. This is
an excellent time to stay away from gossip
altogether. The thrills are cheap, and the
damage is costly.
TUESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (May 31). Fun
and happiness are more important than
you’ve been making them lately. A positive
attitude is the key to keeping your stress
levels low and your sprits high through this
entire solar year. Next month you’ll have
something everyone needs, and you’ll be
paid very well for this. July and October bring
love in abundance. Libra and Cancer adore
you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 15, 39, 44
and 18.