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Open Poetry #7
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Roll a Smoke and Thank the Lord ( Vietnam )
| Open Poetry #7 |
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Roll a Smoke and Thank the Lord ( Vietnam ) |
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Rex Allen McCoy Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863Sippin a Timmy's in London 
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Roll a Smoke and Thank the Lord ~~~ The rains increase the shiver to the marrow of your bones You shake instead of shiver from your teeth right to your toes Your clothes your kit and blankets are soaked and ripped and tore The home you dug's a cesspool its' driest part a mucky floor The water stinks in filthy pools you'd waste your time to bail You crack a joke and no one laughs they didn't hear your tale ~ The rolling thunder from the guns the shells burst everywhere The sand bag walls not much defence the shells moan through the air One lands inside a dugout then an arm lands by your side The air is filled with smoke and screams the stench of friends that died Your prayers to god your only link your sanity slipping yet You roll a smoke and thank the lord that it's not a cigarette ~~~ |
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| © Copyright 2000 Rex Allen McCoy - All Rights Reserved | |||
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netswan Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369Washington |
Rex - These posts are hard to respond to This poem is very powerful and the ending is so "real" --- It is a wonderful poem -- with heartbreaking excellent imagery. netswan |
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Rex Allen McCoy Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863Sippin a Timmy's in London |
this Poem was very difficult to write ... glad you liked it ... unfortunatly not many will read it ... it matters not what I write ... hardly anyone reads them ... I don't get much of a chance to respond to others any more with being so busy ... I'm losing sleep ... I guess I should not bother to post any more and use the valuable time with my family ... things will slow down again in the fall |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
well I read it and I am moved by it,and your pain, I saw your reply last night on Jeffery's post about your brother and I was touched by it...I wondered then if you would write something for the challenge.Im glad you did. I hope you found some healing in it, for me it is the only reason to write. Hope you continue to post...or if not..still write. take care,jm Is it too much to find an answer, Is it too much to hold you close. Is it too much to find a reason, Is it too much to free my soul -- From self control ... And I know you're always waiting for me ... You take me far away, And I know you're holding me ... And it's better now ... ~vertical horizon~ |
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Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! |
Rex, First let me apologize for bringing up memories that disturb you so. I knew when I started this challenge that some of you would have fist hand experience of the pain of this war. I never meant to cause you or anyone else any undue suffering. This is by far the most realistically descriptive post on the subject that I have ever seen. I was only 2 years old when the war ended in '75 but many of my family members served in 'Nam. I see how they are today and I know that this war is the cause of their pain. I can only hope that writng those words helped in your healing. I know they certainly opened my eyes to the reality of it all. Again forgive me for causing you any undue pain. All my love, Jeffrey I lie awake in a world filled with dreams, but dreams can be so real when you don't know you're asleep |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Rex, I am guilty also of not responding as much as I should. Sometimes I get so burned out by the workday I just read...but please know that I read everything you write and look forward to seeing your name next to a poem....this one is no exception. Excellent work. |
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Rex Allen McCoy Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863Sippin a Timmy's in London |
Janet Marie ... thanks for your kind reply ... I will always write but can't promise to post ... have been considering giving up the internet ... have no family life lately Jeffrey ... no need to apologize ... the memories are there ... I didn't have to post anything ... just thought I might shed some light to those who don't quite grasp what was sacraficed in Nam and all wars ... thanks Balladeer ... I live that same problem and I suspect several others do as well ... especially with spring and summer in the air ... time is at a premium |
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Rosemary J. Gwaltney Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997northern mountains, Idaho |
This was a stark, gripping poem, very well done, about this very terrible subject. Thank you so much for sharing. |
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Rex Allen McCoy Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863Sippin a Timmy's in London |
Rosemary ... thankyou for reading it through and responding |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Rex, you can't leave! I always look for your posts I swear I do! You know this one almost brought tears to my eyes and the only reason it didn't? Well, I don't like to cry, but it was sad and vivid, and then you just made me laugh at the end. I guess being in a situation like that would certainly make one thankful it wasn't just a smoke. Stick around would ya??? |
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bobbycat Member
since 2000-02-06
Posts 233USA |
Very real, very powerful, very painful. One of your best. Thank you for sharing.  Bobbycat =^..^= ~~ And it harm none, do what ye will.~~ |
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Rex Allen McCoy Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863Sippin a Timmy's in London |
WhtDove ... your such a lovely person ... you're one in a million ... thankyou ... I might hang around a bit longer ... it may be intermitant though bobbycat ... thankyou ... I tend to put a little more quality into something as important as this ... I usually just write to bring laughter ... which doesn't need to have top quality writing |
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Butterflies_dont_cry Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733Michigan |
Rex* Thank you....I think you just shed some light on my brother in laws life, I often chose to judge him for the things he did rather than understand the "why". Thank you for sharing this. Hold me for yesterday Kiss me for tomorrow But love me for today. |
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