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Open Poetry #39
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JLHunter
Senior Member
since 2006-10-08
Posts 557
CA United States

0 posted 2006-10-18 07:05 PM


The Soldier

A young man curls into a ball
To shield him from the cares of night,
Where all his days divert his dreams
As much with longing as from fright.
Though strong and tough he dreads the fall
When evil men of varied race,
Wish more than life to hear his screams
Reflected in his sunburned face.

Through restless nights he has his fill
Of violence that fills his days;
An unseen foe, and whispered fears,
That stalks his dreams with eyes ablaze.
He fights his way from kill to kill
Through nightly battles tossed and turned,
As cruel dreams are filled with tears
From friends whose lives were harshly spurned.

Though trouble mars his dreams at night,
And passersby might think him cowed,
A person who might wish him ill
Still notes that he stands tall and proud.
His courage gives him strength to fight
--A tribute to his land of birth--
Yet when the air is calm and still,
Reflects the nature of his worth.

A small town boy who grew to love
His country and the girl next door,
He proves the goodness in his heart
--While honor-bound forevermore--
Defending, when push comes to shove,
His love of freedom, truth and right,
Where others run is where he'll start--
He'll make his stand and prove his might.

This simple man of honest toil
Is emblematic of the best.
He guards our freedoms with his life,
Thus passing evil's greatest test.
When danger threatens freedom's soil
This man of honor heeds the call,
To battle on through grief and strife
Preventing freedom's greatest fall.

If by grace you chance to meet
This hero of the purest kind,
Please remember all his losses
Of innocence in heart and mind.
Applaud him as you gain your feet,
Acknowledging his selfless deeds.
And gift him with a grateful smile--
From you that's all he truly needs.



Pinky: Gee, Brain, what are we going to do tonight?
Brain: The same thing we do every night, Pinky: try to take over the world!

© Copyright 2006 John L. Hunter - All Rights Reserved
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
1 posted 2006-10-18 08:06 PM


outstanding write!

loved the way you ended it

JLHunter
Senior Member
since 2006-10-08
Posts 557
CA United States
2 posted 2006-10-18 08:34 PM


Hi Shadows.

Thanks again for another nice response.  You are "Johnny on the Spot," once again!

John

Pinky: Gee, Brain, what are we going to do tonight?
Brain: The same thing we do every night, Pinky: try to take over the world!

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
3 posted 2006-10-20 06:12 AM


If by grace you chance to meet
This hero of the purest kind,
Please remember all his losses
Of innocence in heart and mind.
Applaud him as you gain your feet,
Acknowledging his selfless deeds.
And gift him with a grateful smile--
From you that's all he truly needs.

I married him...long ago

M


JLHunter
Senior Member
since 2006-10-08
Posts 557
CA United States
4 posted 2006-10-20 09:37 AM


Hi, M.

I hope that all is well.  That is a tough life for the entire family.  I know.  My dad was in the SeaBees for over 27 years.

John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

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