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Dark Poetry #2
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A War is Waiting
| Dark Poetry #2 |
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A War is Waiting |
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Hardrock Senior Member
since 2000-02-14
Posts 948New Hampshire, USA 
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A War is Waiting I lay in the tall grass at daybreak, Far inland from where I should be. The cold monsoon rain Brought shivers and pain, And I longed for return to the sea. For two days I lay and I waited, And watched as troops passed me by. No movement, no sound, As snakes slithered round, One bite and I knew I would die. Then all hell broke loose with the shelling, But from whom I could not tell. Was it theirs, was it ours, My stomach acid sours, I knew the taste so well. I had to move out of hiding, Tho’ a risk to my life it would be. With a leap and a roll, I slid down a hole, And found a single, scared VC. I’m not sure whose eyes were bigger, Or who scared who the most. But we huddled together, Out of death’s weather, Neither of us wanted to be toast. The war raged on above us, It seemed it would never end. But as time went by, I saw the look in his eye, And thought I might have a friend. We shared our meager rations, I showed him photos of my kid. I ate rice and dog, He ate beans and hog, We had a good time, we did. We tried to talk to each other, Pulling forgotten words from our head. We laughed til we choked, Then sat back and smoked, Then I turned and I shot him stone dead. There was a war raging above us, I was just looking for somewhere to hide. But when I killed him that day, As his soul flew away, It was my soul that died. |
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| © Copyright 2000 Marv Hardin - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Oh, my God! Few poems about the Vietnam War have touched me as much as this. It is an incredible poem sir! I will be sending this to several friends who served. Too bad it's not marked for the book, for this is one that surely deserves to go in.. I'll give up my spot for it.  |
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lotharingia Senior Member
since 2000-06-04
Posts 897saarbruecken, Germany |
I really had to force myself to read this since I can't handle this kind of thing at all. I am gasping! Now I'm crying! And now I'm just gibbering! What a terrible thing war is that forces us to do such things. I have no idea if you are telling a real event or not, but whatever, it is extremely well-written, and even more admirable that you managed to write it at all. I don't really know what to say. Just that you are a very strong and wonderful person, and whatever you might have done amidst all that insanity can’t change that. Who knows what we would do in the same situation. Love you, Marvin.  I wish you hadn’t had to go through such dreadful experiences! Lotharingia "Dreams are life, reality, creation" Miguel de Unanumo |
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taramw Senior Member
since 2000-06-08
Posts 738 |
Oh oh oh  Very very sad. Yes, an awful experience. |
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Deborah1 Senior Member
since 2000-06-22
Posts 653New Hampshire |
Oh Hardrock, I am sitting here stunned with emotions...I cannot remotely imagine what that, could of been like..or how one manages to even deal..I guess you must draw deep inside to find the strength and courage..I also think as horrific as that was, we need to remember what our men went through, and let it never be forgotten. I just cannot find the "right" words to express my feelings. This surely should be printed. (((hugs)) Respectfully, Deb1...I choked with emotions... The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose...--Hada Bejar |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
God, what a hard time you went through. And I feel stupid for thinking I have problems...Ths is mighty powerful, should make everyone stop and think. I wish you would do a book solely on war poems. I think it would touch a lot of people who don't even know they have the feelings. This is right next to "Lonely Old Man" in my opinion. Take care S |
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Lynne Dale Member
since 2000-07-18
Posts 114Melbourne Victoria |
Wow. I was doing allright till I got near the end. Now I'm shaking and numb. Powerful,aweful poem. Makes me humble to think you were willing to go through that for country and I guess me. kethry. When dark of night takes your soul Think of me and be made whole. |
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a-alibaster Member
since 2000-01-08
Posts 392 |
Is it not amazing the things that war and the fear of death would cause one to do?! This is sooooo powerful. I love it and the way that you kept my attention and at the end stabbed me right in the forehead..... oppps, guess I get a bit too graffic....sorry. Was only trying to express how much I enjoyed this!!! "There is an alter ego which dwells in every soul..." a-alibaster "I am as I am, nothing more, nothing less, I am tears of pain, tears of Death. |
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Isis Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296Sunny Queensland |
You've done amazingly with this one!! You have captured the true cost of war and killing, the emotional scars the survivors carry that we never see or really comprehend. Amazing work hon.. I agree with PDV it should be a book submission, if you change your mind and agree to put it in the book, send me an email so I can vote for it!!! I'll tell you this...... No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn..... ~Isis~ (Goddess - Sovereign of the Spirit) |
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Wren Member
since 2000-07-05
Posts 312 |
Ouch! War always ruins ones soul. Very chilling poem. Breathtaking! -Wren The thread of destiny Unknown by anyone Unseen by anyone Winds around your heart Moist with tears -Vampire Princess Miyu Theme |
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SpitFire Member Elite
since 2000-04-19
Posts 2396 |
~I honestly don't even know what to say. I am not sure why but I feel a little tiny bit afraid to reply to this. I'm being honest with you so noone laughing ok? Your Poem has directly affected me,...more than I can explain. WoW. I'm just sitting here knocked out cold from this work of yours. Uhh,...uum,*sigh*. Take care H. *Peace. |
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LarBear Member
since 2000-06-23
Posts 138Kingston, New York |
Hard Rock, Let me first say thank you so much for the selfless service and the sacrifices you have ordeal for our nation and nations of foreign land. Next my heart cries for the pain of all soldiers that have to endure such emotions that will last until they die. I for one have memories that will always remain. I had one friend shot in the back of the head ”dead” and another seriously injured in Panama December 1989. Our country seams to forget the lives those just one-soldier touches. They always want our pay, and slowly are taking our benefits. I serve proudly no matter the pay or benefits, but I serve for my mother country USA. I get so upset when I goto a National Cemetery and think... how many families were broken. For each grave a life was gave for us all. I do thank you so much, and whish I could have served beside you. Sincerely, AKA”LarBear” SSG Spradley Operations NCO "8 years 82d Airborne Div 88-96" "3 years reserves 96-99" "1 year Active Reserve 99-00" [This message has been edited by LarBear (edited 07-19-2000).] |
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firejerm Member
since 2000-06-13
Posts 217Springfield, OH, good ol USA |
You once shredded a poem I submitted here, but yet I cannot find fault with this one for my father served in the airborne in Vietnam. He also served in MAC-VESOG as well. Truly he should read this but he chooses not to speak to me any more. Great work on this...I respect anyone who has served. Jerm "Those little slices of death, how I loathe them." -Edgar Allen Poe |
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Hardrock Senior Member
since 2000-02-14
Posts 948New Hampshire, USA |
To all of you who responded or sent me e-mails, a sincere and heartfelt Thank You. To those who might have been bothered or offended by the poem, I apologize. Kermit the Frog said it best, "It isn't easy being green" (is it LarBear? Still can't your e-mail to work) And personal to firejerm...I don't ever recall shredding one of your poems. If I did, it was purely unintentional. Regardless, I publicly apologize to you for anything I might have done to offend you. I use the forum to make friends, read good poetry and writings and share experiences. I try not to be critical...they have a special section for that. And I truly enjoy all of you. Being here each day is a good experience for me...and I try to make it so for each of you. After all, we're almost family. Thanks to you all again. |
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allan Senior Member
since 2000-04-09
Posts 620On the road |
Tremendously powerful poem Hardrock. I just read through the other posts, we all feel the same way I think. Certainly it should be read by an even wider public. Hat's off to you for some great writing here! |
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Jeremiah Johnson Senior Member
since 2000-06-08
Posts 1223Brooksville, Fl, U.S |
Hardrock this is a great poem i enjoyed it very much even though it is rather sad war and all but with out war life would be different. i enjoy history and i think this little piece here should be in my history book for next school year. I'm a dying romantic and when i can no longer write i can no longer live -Jeremiah Johnson- |
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