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Open Poetry #44
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WTBAKELAR
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2008-09-09
Posts 1089
Utah, USA

0 posted 2009-05-26 02:01 PM


marine corp Pictures, Images and Photos
I sat at his Grave


He was only about ten years older,
Yet to me he was always a man,
I looked up to him with wonder,
And try to remember all that I can,

I just don’t remember much before,
The day that he left to go,
He joined the Marines, and was going away,
And I missed him more than you know,

That night they took him to the plane,
And I had to wait in the car,
I didn’t know what Vietnam was,
Or why he chose to go to war,

My mother cried, and cried some more,
And I did too, I guess,
She knew what lay in store for him,
For she had brothers that served with the rest,

He served his Country with Honor,
And had the scars to prove it,
They patched him up and he went back,
Yes, In him there was no quit,

He saw things, that no man should,
And of most he would not say,
Only that it was "Hell on Earth",
And he prayed for a better day,

When he finally came home to us,
I was so happy to have him there,
But he seemed so filled with trouble and strife,
And at times it was hard to bear,

He carried with him those scars of war,
Both visible and within,
Oh, they took their toll on his health and soul,
As they slowly savaged him,

When I got the call that he had passed away,
I cried like the day he had left before,
And I knew I would always remember him,
As that Marine that went off to war,

Now I sit at his grave and reminisce,
Of the day he took me to church on his bike,
I place a flag, and think of my Brother,
And all the soldiers, that stood for something,,,,, Like Mike.

[This message has been edited by WTBAKELAR (05-27-2009 04:05 PM).]

© Copyright 2009 Wm. Tracey Bakelar - All Rights Reserved
Oklahoma Rose
Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586
Oklahoma USA
1 posted 2009-05-26 06:17 PM


Awwww, this is so sad. There are so many who have served and lost their lives while trying to serve our country. I salute them all.
Billie Cullimore
Member
since 2009-03-27
Posts 315

2 posted 2009-05-27 09:15 PM


Dear Tracey,

  This is so beutiful, I can't keep  from crying, but not just for our loss but for my wonderful son, Tracey who has such a loving heart for his siblings and for all of life. You are so talented, you are so special.

By the way,
Did I tell you that I love you?

Mom  P. S. Where did you get this wonderful picture? mom

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3 posted 2009-05-27 09:22 PM


Yo WTBAKELAR,

This is a very lovely picture, and poem to go with it.

Bobby

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
4 posted 2009-05-28 12:32 PM


Though I am not your Mom, I just reacted like her while reading this sensitive, heartwrenching poem.

Lingering a moment in silence ... so much pain can't be handled in a blink of an eye.

Love,
Margherita

2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
5 posted 2009-05-28 01:35 PM


wonderful homage and recalling that war is tragedy...I deeply shared the thoughts of the poem...

regards

yann

WTBAKELAR
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2008-09-09
Posts 1089
Utah, USA
6 posted 2009-05-28 02:40 PM


This poem is dedicated to my oldest brother;
Norman Micheal Atkinson,
He served in the USMC in Vietnam, I do not know how many tours, Was injured more than once, caught malaria, and several schrapnal scars.
He served his full term and when he came home, he taught me hand to hand combat.  I never lost a fight after that.

He lived till he was 56 and died from the lingering effects of agent orange.

He loved Harley Davidsons, and had just purchased the 100 year aniversary bike a few months prior to his death.

He was a very tallented and accomplished artist and he is missed by his family.

Mike passed away 5 years ago next month.

I want to thank all of you for your kind and caring comments.
I found the picture on Photobucket.

Thanks again,
Love, Tracey.  

Osprey
Member
since 2009-04-12
Posts 249

7 posted 2009-05-28 03:38 PM


I Bow to your loss, and to all the young Americans. If the spirit of freedom was not in their sacrifice, I'd not be here typing this.
The blood on the beaches of Normandy and Guadalcanal, and all the places I do not mention are my saviour. I'll always know that to be the truth.

WTBAKELAR
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2008-09-09
Posts 1089
Utah, USA
8 posted 2009-05-28 04:35 PM


Osprey,
Thank you so much for the very kind comments, and genuine care and spirit.

It is greatly appreciated,
Tracey.

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
9 posted 2009-06-09 01:38 PM


*touching screen*

This went straight to my heart... first line to last. What a beautiful tribute!

WTBAKELAR
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2008-09-09
Posts 1089
Utah, USA
10 posted 2009-06-09 02:19 PM


suthern
Thank you so much for your very kind and touching comment.

I am always so glad when you enjoy my poetry.

Love always,
Tracey.

LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
11 posted 2009-06-09 11:25 PM



That is a very sad, sensitive poem Tracey
that makes us all remember the aftermath

of that terrible war. Why can't people just live in peace, it really saddens my day.
Take care my friend.  

Lindsay

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