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Cursed Immortal
| Open Poetry #3 |
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Cursed Immortal |
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John Yaws Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860Texas 
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Cursed Immortal Time is of the essence only in this mortal life, With decisions seeming pressing, and days with trouble rife. But alas to us immortals, time is but a drudge And what to you is fleeting, to us those seconds trudge. I was there when Adam wakened in God's likeness long ago And I saw the work at Babel, workmen rushing to and fro. I walked the Hanging Gardens, in Babylon so grand, Saw the pyramids of Egypt being built upon the sand. I saw the balmy Med, you know, become a Roman lake, I walked the hills of Athens, it's beauty to partake; I marched with Ceasar's legions, into every land and clime And forefront of each battle, you would see this face of mine. I have fought the hordes of Mongols, I have fought barbaric swine, I have coughed and bled my life away at least a hundred times. I have frozen in the Northlands, I have borne the desert heat And face to face in battle, the Burmans I did meet. I have sailed the raging waters, whilst a hurricane did blow, With hell aragin' o'er me, and a briny grave below. I have heard the groan of timbers, I have felt the vessel shake, As we took her round the Horn, when I sailed with Francis Drake. I was there with valiant Pickett, as we tried to take that hill, As the flower of the Southland, their precious blood did spill. I heard the screams of dying, I smelled the stench of death As brave men all around me were gasping their last breath. I saw the bearded oldsters, being put in shallow graves, Beside the callow youngsters, who had never had to shave. I was there when Teddy R., led the charge up San Juan Hill, In a forest glen in Belgium, my life blood I would spill. I have fought the steamy jungles, and walked through deadly towns In a land once known for freedom, now for violence renown. I have known a thousand comrades, and half a hundred loves Who are watching, cheering for me, in that grandstand up above. So I will ply my trade, friend, as long as I have breath, For my business is to soldier, my commodity is death. How long? I've asked that often, a weary way I've trod, But the answer is not mine, friend, the One who knows is God. |
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| © Copyright 1999 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
A sad truth, brilliantly portrayed. ------------------ Denise |
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