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William P Bussey
Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 188


0 posted 2000-03-23 06:13 PM


FALLING SNOW, AND OTHER THINGS

Winter time, 1951, I believe it was Febuary, not that it matters none,
The past 8 weeks had been one of snow,and cold that went to the bone.
Tonight it was falling like a blanket, you couldn't see ten feet beyond the wire,
Somewhere this night, ina far away land, people were warm, there by a fire.

Warm, how that did sound, there was I knew, no warmth in this damn land,
It is amazing to see, just how much of this frozen hell a man can stand.
And we here this day, have it easy, compared to our brothers, who at Chosin froze,
What was within those Marines, that brought them out, only God knows.

As I stand my watch this night, Out beyond the wire, there a tree does sway,
I watch a moment, the snow thick like feathers, falling soft, then I turn away.
Something is wrong, I turn in haste, we have been here for days, there is no tree,
My eyes strain to see, what I thought i saw wasn't there., what was, was the enemy,

I fired twice, I could hardly see, as he fell I heard him cry out, I didn't care,
For if the truth be known, at that moment, I was glad he came, glad I was there.
We watched for others through the night, there were no more,
Thus passed another cold and miserible night of war.

Night will always pass, sometimes it seems to take forever, for darkness is a curtain,
That holds, and hides our fears to fuel, that which is uncertain.
But come light of day, things are not always as we remember,
Such was the case of this enemy soldier, all he wanted to do was, surrender.

I have thought of this man these many years, I can see his face, as we wrapped him in snow,
I have tried to find compassion, and even sorrow in my heart, to this day I do not know,
Although his face is clear today, and there is no joy in my heart, in the fact he died,
I see instead, Van, Jack, Berlin, Davy, my pals, my family, and how their familys cried.


© Copyright 2000 William P Bussey - All Rights Reserved
Gene
Senior Member
since 2000-01-23
Posts 935
Colorado, USA
1 posted 2000-03-23 06:28 PM


Bill,
Very powerful and emotional. Excellent depiction of a tragedy and irony of war.

~Gene

twinsgd
Member
since 2000-02-13
Posts 416
Ontario,Canada
2 posted 2000-03-23 06:29 PM


Another well told story Bill....and a compelling jolt in those last two lines. Nothing glamorous about war.
Jonas
Senior Member
since 2000-03-03
Posts 796
Oregon
3 posted 2000-03-23 07:12 PM


This is wonderful Bill. Your words bring your experiences to life for the rest of us. And I am so thankful for that. To be given such a glimpse into someone's life is a gift I truly cherish.

 Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
-Edgar Allen Poe


William P Bussey
Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 188

4 posted 2000-03-23 07:39 PM


As always I thank you all, I seem to have a well of somethings, I keep thinking it will go dry, then someone writes something that makes the bucket rise again. (for you that arent rural, well, bucket) OH well, another generation gap....
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

5 posted 2000-03-23 07:46 PM


Very powerful writing, Bill. Well done. You convey your thoughts well.

Denise

childomine
Senior Member
since 2000-01-25
Posts 818
st. petersburg, FL
6 posted 2000-03-23 07:56 PM


You're usual fine gift at telling a story Bill.  Heart-wrenching, open and honest and, vivid.  As you continue to share what happened; how you felt and, how you feel - we continue to be taught.

 ...Give me the strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is....
Black Eagle
Oglala Sioux holy man


StarrGazer
Senior Member
since 2000-03-05
Posts 679
Texas
7 posted 2000-03-23 08:12 PM


You write about history with such a ease it seems, actual events... I've tried this and always  come out lacking  now feelings I can write about  but thats another story.  Great job on the poem  

 "A poet is one who spends a lifetime standing out in thunderstorms, waiting to be hit by lightning"
~Randal Jarrell~



John the cat
Member
since 2000-03-23
Posts 357
England
8 posted 2000-03-24 07:50 PM


Wonderful story and poem..
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