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OWG
Member

since 2001-03-19

Posts 155
California

0 posted 2001-12-07 06:28 AM

Birthday Fifth

Jim Dickey turned 51 today
dressed in his
Sergeant E-5 Greens
joined by his bros
in their military best
they always dress up
on birthdays

Sister Judy came by
brought a rose from her garden
and some homemade
peanut butter cookies
Jim don't eat sweats
but she will
while she tells
about the old neighborhood
and then a mention
how proud she is
of her brother
and the other service men
from the "Nam"

Says she met Mary Garcia
married to a Navy guy
down the row
they rode in together
on the bus from 63rd
was his birthday today too

Sis nibbles her last cookie
looks at the soldiers
all grinning back at her
"you have such nice friends Jim"
she whispers with a tear
she leans and kisses
the top of the white stone cross

© OWG (by request for GS)

[This message has been edited by OWG (edited 12-07-2001).]

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius

since 2000-10-09

Posts 13989

1 posted 2001-12-07 06:41 AM

This still brings that tear to my eye every time I read it. It reaches right in and sends a shiver deep to the core. This is some pretty amazing stuff OWG, thanks for the post! Your talent is a gift that I am glad we all have the pleasure of enjoying, your friendship.....immeasurable....
HUGS

On the wings of words our spirits fly....and our souls are free.
~Me~

(I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance~Garth)

OWG
Member

since 2001-03-19

Posts 155
California

2 posted 2001-12-07 06:49 AM

Thanx babe....you blush me with your comments...but I am sure Jim is grinning at the post...can't ever do enough to pay tribute to him and the others in stone town.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

3 posted 2001-12-07 08:19 AM

I am glad to see this today, 12/7...thank you...

OWG
Member

since 2001-03-19

Posts 155
California

4 posted 2001-12-07 08:23 AM

thank you ms sunshine I appreciate the read

HopeS
Member Elite

since 2000-12-22

Posts 4596
Perth Western Australia

5 posted 2001-12-07 08:30 AM

touching tribute dear friend
heartfelt
Hope
they would all be around same age as me

OWG
Member

since 2001-03-19

Posts 155
California

6 posted 2001-12-07 08:41 AM

Thanx Hope...yes same age as me too..(more or less) Jim and I were in the RVN play in 68...he went out one day and didn't come back...altogether anyway.

catalinamoon

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-03

Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone

7 posted 2001-12-07 02:35 PM

Oh this is a sad one. And a well deserved memorial.
Sandra

Irish Rose
Member Patricius

since 2000-04-06

Posts 10263

8 posted 2001-12-07 02:44 PM

This is true grit poetry, a pleasure to read. Anyone who remembers '68 is ok in my book!

Kathleen (Kay)
"When red-haired girls scamper like roses over the rain-green grass, and the sun drips honey."
Laurie Lee

OWG
Member

since 2001-03-19

Posts 155
California

9 posted 2001-12-07 03:23 PM

Catmoon..thank you for the read and comments...

Irish Rose...68 will always be in my memory..dang, I wish I could remember the rest of the 60's..hmmm thanx hunks for the review

vlraynes
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-07-25

Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...

10 posted 2001-12-12 05:26 PM

OWG-
   Wow...very powerful and touching tribute.
   Wonderfully told story.
   Hugs,
   ~Vicky

"...until you have read the verse on his heart,
you have not truly met the poet.
~vlraynes

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

11 posted 2001-12-12 05:38 PM

(tears fall down my cheeks) Oh OMG, this was so very sad! My heart cried out to their family and all that remember him, and my love and prayers are with them all always! (sigh) God Bless You, sweet friend, this is a sad but beautiful tribute! (big hugggsssss) You have such a beautiful heart, sweet friend, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

12 posted 2001-12-12 07:34 PM

This one gave me chills, for it was the year I said goodbye to three who went to Nam.
One did not come back. A second returned with severe emotional wounds and a drug addiction. The third appeared to be OK, if you don't count the nightmares and the subsequent divorce.

sodpossom
Senior Member

since 2001-06-15

Posts 723
N.C

13 posted 2001-12-12 07:40 PM

Very well done and powerful tribute!

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

14 posted 2001-12-12 08:09 PM

Powerful write....
Interesting read!
~hugs, Nancy~

"A dream is a wish your heart makes..."

kaile

Member Ascendant

since 2000-02-06

Posts 5146
singapore

15 posted 2001-12-13 12:51 PM

the title caught my attention...and the ending was something i never expected...and i paused to think for a moment those Nam soldiers...

rebekah33
Member

since 2001-12-13

Posts 140
MD/NJ

16 posted 2001-12-13 04:11 AM

The punch at the end took me a second and when I realized, I literally gasped. This poem is really powerful. Great job.
-R.

SEA

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 2000-01-18

Posts 22676
with you

17 posted 2001-12-13 05:05 PM

ok, the ending wasn't fair....you brought tears to my eyes and now I'll need to make sure I get an email over to my brother. *sniffle* this is really moving

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

18 posted 2002-04-05 08:21 PM

When the right time comes, this will deserve a repost....

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius

since 2000-10-09

Posts 13989

19 posted 2006-08-21 11:41 AM

I was thinking bout this poem this morning and am glad that I went searching the archives for it.... It still touches deeply, and the words remain now, as then.

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