A Prairie Home Companion from American Public Media: First Person

The Yellow Ribbon
by Patricia Koskal
June 20, 2007

"Tie a yellow ribbon
round the old oak tree?"
Mine is on the porch post
But just as plain to see.

Within it's loops and streamers tied
the memory of those who died,
the hopes of those who will return,
whose families on Faith rely.

It's tied beside a flag
that wasn't there before
and every time I enter,
as I come and as I go,
I'll say a prayer for all the guys
who make my freedom so;
by giving of their very breath
so mine can sleep in peace
and thank the Lord for who they are
their lives to give new lease.

With sharp salute to LTC
look forward to the day
when he for whom I put it there
be safely home with me.

For my friend LTC RTB, Afghanistan

About the author:
In keeping with much that has been non-traditional about my life, I met the person for whom the poem was written unusually as well. I was sitting in my classroom scanning the online edition of the local paper and noticed a headline stating that a Journalism professor from a nearby university and retired Lt. Col. in the Army had re-enlisted at age 59 and had received orders to report for duty in Afghanistan. Having had three children graduate from that university, I looked up his email address on their site, and sent him an email commending his choice and offering prayer until he returned. He responded favorably, we met, and the rest they say is history. I believe I am correct in saying that he is an avid fan of Garrison Keillor. I came across this site at his mention of GK and took that opportunity to post the poem I wrote this morning. Thank you.