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Open Poetry #45
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Eleventh Day... Eleventh Hour
| Open Poetry #45 |
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Eleventh Day... Eleventh Hour |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana 
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 A moment of silence is such small change To give to those who proudly rearranged Or gave their own lives in order that we Could know the real meaning of liberty. My Dad’s brother fought in the first world war But a dented hard hat tucked in a drawer Was all that I knew of his sacrifice. They all believed that their war would suffice. But once again the world turned upside down And my father left his home and small town To find himself right in the depths of hell Years later, he could only say “the smell” - Oh, he’d talk avidly of later days When slim, pretty French girls would stand and wave But of that beach landing, he could not speak He'd just shake his head and let the tears leak. The Korean war I know from TV But all these years later, the DMZ Is still in existence… the search for peace Met with hostilities that will not cease. Vietnam was where my generation Headed the minute their graduation Ceremonies were over – and losses there Were almost more than my heart could bear Working at Fort Polk, I stood and waved goodbye And though my friends never saw me cry I shed plenty of tears… and I still do They returned to shunning a nation should rue. So much of the Gulf war was televised We saw the missiles against the night skies, Cheered at the brevity, quick victory – But again found that peace wasn’t to be. Today, we have soldiers in far away lands Doing their duties as best as they can Longing for quiet and saying their prayers That home and family soon will be theirs. So many veterans to remember Deserve more than one day in November But breath of silence I gladly will give With heartfelt gratitude, long as I live. THANK YOU... to those who served and sacrificed... and those who continue to do so. [This message has been edited by suthern (11-11-2009 09:57 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2009 suthern - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Krawdad Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597 |
Thanks for this, Ruth. (I think some will miss the significance of your title.) And thanks to all those who served - those who stood in harm's way - those who gave it all - and those too who served with the same willing dedication in support and who are so rarely remembered. e USAR '67-'69 |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
enjoyed  |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Krawdad: I know. *S* But that's the only title it wanted... and is an abbreviation of the title it had at first "Eleventh Month... Eleventh Day... Eleventh Hour" *S* But things are different in England... I visited a few years ago and happened to be in the airport at 11 am on Nov 11, waiting to come home... and was moved to tears at the complete silence that suddenly swept that frenzied airport. Even young mothers hushed their children. That tribute meant even more to me since part of my trip had been visiting the places where my Daddy had trained before D-Day... and I was just completing my first year without him. *S* Thank you so much for your wonderful comment... and thank you for your service!! vandana: Thank you very much! *S* |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Deserve more than one day in November....you got that right, Suthern gal. They deserve everyday that we live under freedom. Thank you for such a moving tribute.  |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Such a wonderful tribute to our military. I am thankful every day for the freedom they give us. |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I think almost everyone has been touched by war in one way or another. My uncle was one of the first wave of allied soldiers to cross the Rhine in WWII. He didn't care to talk about it either but he had a scar on his face from a bayonet for the rest of his life. His oldest son died in Vietnam. You have written a fine tribute here, Ruth. Ida |
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Lamar Cole Member
since 2009-05-01
Posts 274 |
This is a great tribute for our Veterans. |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Stories of WW1, WW2, the Korean, and of course, Vietnam were all through my family. Wounds, and deaths, pain in all it's forms. Me, I was a Sailor, as was most the men in my family...Served during Vietnam, but never in 'nam itself...I tried but was told I was where I needed to be.... And I'm still alive today (some of my friends aren't) so I guess I WAS where I needed to be. Much enjoyed your very welcome piece my friend... j. |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
You have treated this delicate topic with love and deep sensitivity, dear Ruth, thank you. We can only imagine what all the soldiers have gone through while obeying their leaders, how most of them faced horrid deaths ... generations of beautiful young men exterminated on both sides! And the horrors continue ... True freedom will be built upon foundations of love. How long will it take us? We are voting now in Switzerland a referendum regarding the export of weapons ... by selling weapons we become accomplices in killing. I vote against the intention of the government, which wants of course to continue exporting weapons ... to all the nations involved in wars? Weapons for freedom? It's a contradiction. No moral in this, just business. May the Veterans be celebrated and the dead remembered and honored! But may we all grow in the awareness that peace is a matter of reciprocal respect and love and not a matter of weapons. Love and peace. Margherita |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Here in Canada, November 11 is Remembrance Day and we also have that moment of silence at the 11th hour. You brought history alive with this exceptionally moving piece of writing, dear Ruth. Your uncle made the supreme sacrifice. My great aunt, who was a nurse, lost her life during the war. Remembering those who risked ~ and those who lost ~ their lives so that we all have our freedoms... Love, Harmony, & Peace, Linda    |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
a fine tribute A perfect way to say thank you. |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
So many veterans to remember Deserve more than one day in November But breath of silence I gladly will give With heartfelt gratitude, long as I live. Dear Ruth that is a very heart strings tugger, written with a lot of compassion. Thanks for sharing. love. Lindsay |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Thank you, dear friends, for your wonderful responses. *S* And the holiday is over, but THANK YOU, veterans... every month, every day, every hour. |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Yes thank the veterans and thank you...James |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Thank you. Alison |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
11-11-11 (if you add the two and the nine) This is such a thoughtful write. I often speak with a man who remember his days in the military, remembers fighting and the fallen, and I think of the "rockets red glare" that shows in his eyes when he speaks of those losing their lives now. He said, "Why?" A folded flag or a medal is not enough for those men whose family will never see them again or those who will never know what it is to hold a woman in their arms, or who will never walk or dance, who are scarred beyond recognition have lost themselves inside, or perhaps never sleep again with a peaceful dream. And there are many women who deserve the respect and remembrances, too. I think freedom is worth defending, but I truly wish it were not simply a convenient word cover for corruption and greed or religious domination, as it so often seems to be. In the end, the blood all runs red, mothers cry, and children are left to wonder about their roots...and tears etch the agony of loss and terror upon the survivors' countenances, as you so elegantly write. It's written beautifully and powerfully. My library grows again!  Karen |
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nourzihane Member
since 2008-07-10
Posts 254Algeria |
Suthem your writings are very wonderful i really enjoyed thank you Nourzihane |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
My humble thanks to each of you... I really appreciate your comments. |
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Goldenrose Member Elite
since 2003-05-30
Posts 3665 |
A fine tribute to the men and women who have lost their lives in war and are still in harms way, thank you for sharing this... Goldenrose. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu 6th century BC. |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
Ruth - This is indeed a wonderful tribute! It's just so sad that the human race has made history what it is. I'm hoping that the new wave of consciousness will create a better history in time to come. It's something for all of us to work towards. A most moving write! Helen |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
Thanks. This one should be read each and every month. Melton |
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AncientHippie Member
since 2009-10-15
Posts 411Surfing the Cosmic Flow |
Splendid tribute to veterans worldwide, Suthern. So many have given so much. I detest the politics of those who would turn the endless sacrifices into an excuse to continue the global slaughter. The greatest honour and tribute to the fallen would be to work constantly, and with much greater determination, towards achieving a lasting peace here in this global village that we all must share. Remembrance is not complete until we learn from the past. Peace Jim "We are stardust: we are golden: and we've got to get ourselves back to the garden." --Joni Mitchell "Woodstock" |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I so much appreciate each and every comment. A few years ago, Veterans' Day was the next to the last day I had with my Dad... I am so grateful for that last opportunity to thank him. So Veterans' Day is special to me for many reasons. Most importantly... thank you, veterans... for your service and sacrifices... for our freedom. |
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