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Open Poetry #32
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

0 posted 2004-05-30 11:24 AM



There's nothing different about the man
as he passes you on the street
a few lines have formed along his brow
and he's slower on his feet

He smiles at children as they play
frowns at tattoes on a young teen
an ordinary man you think?
but you don't know what he as seen

jungle wet
with rain
and sweat

rivers of mud
and
enemy blood

eyes in pain
no loss
or gain

arms held back
in
mass attack


He won't tell you what he knows
nor why it haunts his dreams
he keeps it within, this secret past
that hides behind silent screams

jungle wet
with
rain and sweat

rivers of mud
and
enemy blood

eyes in pain
no loss
or gain

arms held back
in
mass attack


Don't dare to say he never gave
what his country asked him to give
don't tell him that you hate this place
his friends died so you could live

jungle wet
with
rain and sweat

rivers of mud
and
enemy blood

eyes in pain
no loss
or gain

arms held back
in
mass attack


A flag waves in bright sunlight
By soldier right, he should be proud
But he walks on by, no salute
His patriotism is not allowed

[i]jungle wet with rain and sweat rivers of mud and enemy blood eyes in pain no loss or gain arms held back in mass attack[i]

And when you come to understand
the freedom he fought to keep
Perhaps it will be you my friend
that dreams the dream of soldier's sleep.

© Copyright 2004 Poet deVine - All Rights Reserved
Denise
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

1 posted 2004-05-30 11:54 AM


Wow, Sharon, this is fabulous! What a wonderful salute to our heroes!

I'll bet this could be put to music. If you want maybe I can forward it to my nephew, John? He's a singer/songwriter/musician and a very patriotic kind of guy.

Susan
Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104
walking the surreal
2 posted 2004-05-30 12:37 PM


My, my.  My heart is burning and my spirit touched.  This is an incredible write and filled with such insight and understanding.  Excellent.

  Susan

The whole of the Universe resides within each individual heart.

GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
3 posted 2004-05-30 12:48 PM


Sharon, this is such an excellent tribute to those who have served. Full of true compassion and thanks. I love it!

It's good to read you hear again. Maybe I'd just been reading the wrong forum or not around at the right times, but I hadn't seen you here for quite awhile. Hope you're all safe and sound there at your new place

Always, Alyssa

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
                  Joyce kilmer

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
4 posted 2004-05-30 01:19 PM




Thank you for this profound write Sharon.

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
5 posted 2004-05-30 10:53 PM


PDV...amazing write
Nightshade
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Member Patricius
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962
just out of reach
6 posted 2004-05-30 10:58 PM


Excellent write PdV. God Bless all of those who stand/stood on guard for all of us.
hugs, Chris

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

7 posted 2004-05-30 11:30 PM


WOW SHARON..just Wow.

I'm adding this to my library.

Maree

The clouds never expect it when it rains, but the sea, changes colour, but the sea, does not change.
~Stevie Nicks~

Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
8 posted 2004-05-31 12:05 PM


Sharon a much needed write these days, and done extremely well.  I too think it could be a song, with a tiny bit of work, and a darn good one too   Sometimes you just made me bust my seams yanno?
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
9 posted 2004-05-31 12:22 PM


Poet deVine -- This reminds me of a friend of mine who cam back from Viet Nam -- he could not talk about it and on the 4th of July -- he could not watch the fireworks or get anywhere near them because the effect they had on him.  Few who weren't there could ever possibly understand the sacrifices so many have made.  Thank you for sharing this really effective writing with us.   ...jo
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
10 posted 2004-05-31 06:14 AM


Thank you for your kind words. This is about a Vietnam Vet as that is my generation's war. I pray that someday there won't be such a thing as war. If we could just learn to get along....
Aimster
Member Elite
since 2000-02-19
Posts 4297
Charlotte, NC
11 posted 2004-05-31 10:39 AM


Sharon,

damn girl, this was an awesome write! you had me holding on to the very last word, gave me chills, but made me smile, and made me proud to live in the USA. Thank you
for writing this, it needed to be read and heard.
Take care,
amy

"When life gives you sorrow, may you experience the spirit of laughter"

inkedgoddess
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392
Ohio
12 posted 2004-05-31 11:22 AM


very powerful and intelligent write with heart and tribute to many times these mere 'boys' that have endured what we could never grasp unless in their boots
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
13 posted 2004-05-31 12:38 PM


you make me want to call my father...

but too many years have gone now, too much bitterness and anger of childhood there

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
14 posted 2004-06-01 12:35 PM


Nice writing Denise...James
*Belabebeautiful*
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Senior Member
since 2003-01-03
Posts 696
washington, USA
15 posted 2004-06-01 01:26 AM


Very powerfull, I was moved by this.
~Live and Laugh~

The memories are worth the pain when the happiness is outweighs the sorrow
~Bella~

suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
16 posted 2004-06-01 03:11 PM


You may have written about the soldier from one war... but you wrote for them all. And this veteran's daughter thanks you. *S*
Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
17 posted 2004-06-01 03:47 PM


Absolutely beautiful sweets....
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