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Open Poetry #25
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Ratleader
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0 posted 2003-03-12 01:16 AM


For a certain pilot, who flies an aircraft I won’t name, and who deployed yesterday to a place I don’t need to know.





We know
what you do for us
though you can’t say where
you are, or where peace will take you
over the coming battle. We can’t ask what loads
of death you’ll carry, what lives you’ll save, erasing the
implements of war and plowing distant fields so that some day
peace may grow there, in a place where peace has never grown before.
Secretly    with valor    and honor    to create    peace and    freedom.
  Yes            we             know           what           you           do.    



[This message has been edited by Ratleader (03-12-2003 01:23 AM).]

© Copyright 2003 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
littlewing
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since 2003-03-02
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New York
1 posted 2003-03-12 01:23 AM



Rat - this is amazing - just inspired me here - you did - and I cannot help but see that the poem looks like wingspan - very nice - xxoo

BluesSerenade
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since 2001-10-23
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By the Seaside
2 posted 2003-03-12 01:32 AM


A wonderful tribute to those who have left their homeland to fight for our freedom in the name of peace.  

Bless you for this~

majnu
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3 posted 2003-03-12 01:40 AM


a chap i know flew some of those.

he shows off a picture of him infront of his bird; that is all he says .

nice poem and a better tribute.

-majnu
--------------------------------------
Timid thoughts be not afraid. I am a Poet.

Ratleader
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4 posted 2003-03-12 01:45 AM


He's out there right now, doing the work of peace.

Pray for him.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

passing shadows
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displaced
5 posted 2003-03-12 02:10 AM


wonderful tribute!
Dark Angel
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since 1999-08-04
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6 posted 2003-03-12 06:19 AM


He is in my prayers.

A wonderful tribute Ratleader.

Maree

inkedgoddess
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Ohio
7 posted 2003-03-12 07:07 AM


creaqtive and insightful, cool visual
BloomingRose
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since 2000-08-09
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Florida
8 posted 2003-03-12 07:14 AM


Wonderful tribute! Prayers going up!

Deb

regards2you
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since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940
California
9 posted 2003-03-12 07:29 AM



Yes, with valor and honor. I salute them and you for this loving, sensitive tribute for those protecting us and striving to make and keep peace and freedom.

Loved the design of words on page.

Hugs, Pat

..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons..
        "Desiderata"

garysgirl
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Florida, USA
10 posted 2003-03-12 07:44 AM


Ed, the way you wrote this is to be commended...the need for not knowing where he went or what he was carrying on his aircraft being emphasized.

I live in an area where bombs are tested at the military base regularly. Yesterday one of the most powerful type bombs we have was tested (how they do this without anyone getting hurt I don't know, nor do I need to know). I just wish that the national news media (which goes all over the world) wouldn't make such a big deal about it. In so doing, they've made our state a very big target.
This whole thing scares me a lot. The pilot you are speaking of is in my prayers, as well as all our troops.

Ethel

Martie
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California
11 posted 2003-03-12 09:07 AM


Ed...So many people going, going to the place of uncertain times, to fight somewhere about something and perhaps die.  My prayers are with them.  Thank you for this!
Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
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Listening to every heart
12 posted 2003-03-12 10:15 AM


Those who serve, serve well.  Thank you for this, Ed.

If I whisper, will you listen?...

KristieSue
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13 posted 2003-03-12 10:26 AM


My  brother is in the Navy.  There are many times when he is called back to his ship to go out to sea...  All we get is a call that he is leaving.  That makes it harder, and easier...depends on how you look at it.  I do know the fear though...and my prayers are with you and the one you wrote about...as well as all of our service men/women.

KS

Gentle Spirit
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since 2000-10-09
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14 posted 2003-03-12 11:46 AM


He is along with all the others held in prayer.  Bless you for this Ed, very well done.
Pilgrimage
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since 2001-12-04
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Texas, USA
15 posted 2003-03-12 12:08 PM


Oh, well done! Well done indeed!

Nan (Pilgrim variety)

Suetang
Member Ascendant
since 2001-03-07
Posts 5187
Melbourne, Australia
16 posted 2003-03-13 08:32 PM


Hello Ed

Your words spoke volumes and I shudder to think what these people must go through and the things they see.  I can hardly watch the news anymore because the world is in such a depressing state, so I lose myself in words instead.

Take care......Sue

I am in motion
I am blue
Love is an ocean
I'm anchored in you
- Shawn Mullins

Aenimal
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the ass-end of space
17 posted 2003-03-13 09:30 PM


Ratleader, you're a masterof words and styles awesome write
Enchantress
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Canada eh.
18 posted 2003-03-13 10:45 PM


Ed, extremely well done and presented.
I too will pray for those who serve in the name of peace.
~Heart hugs~

~ Trace my body with your words..
And in doing so, you touch my heart. ~

Ratleader
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19 posted 2003-03-13 10:58 PM


Some of the best writers this site has to offer have read my little poem and were moved by it.

I'm in awe of that. It honestly humbles me. I just want each of you to know it.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

inkedgoddess
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Ohio
20 posted 2003-03-13 11:02 PM


were u a math whiz?
Ratleader
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21 posted 2003-03-13 11:08 PM


LOL-- I sucked at it! If I were good at math, I'd have been an aeronautical engineer, and probably wouldn't have written a word of poetry after the age of 16......

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

hoot_owl_rn
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since 1999-07-05
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Glen Hope, PA USA
22 posted 2003-03-14 07:25 AM


Lovely tribute to a friend and for all who serve this country
suthern
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Louisiana
23 posted 2003-03-14 11:59 AM


Beautiful tribute. *S* Yes, we know... we appreciate... we thank... and we pray.
RokoRoo
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since 2003-02-16
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24 posted 2003-03-18 06:55 PM


Very nice poem, big bro.     I hope your friend comes home safely and soon.
Ratleader
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25 posted 2003-03-18 06:58 PM


Hi, Roo! Hug and smooch to you!

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

Greeneyes
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In Your Poetic Mind
26 posted 2003-03-18 10:25 PM


God Bless the peacemakers.....

thank you for sharing this....


Lauren~

I close my eyes and there in the shadows I see your light
You come to me out of my dreams
Across the night

Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
27 posted 2006-01-30 05:40 PM


Ed~
I read this today and realize that so many of our men are either still there, missing, or are crosses on the hill ... how beautifully your words served to honor them all~

Wonderful formatting also, my friend~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email -   noles1@totcon.com

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