For The Want Of Knowing History

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Open Poetry #41

For The Want Of Knowing History

icebox
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 4383
in the shadows

0 posted 2007-10-11 04:44 AM

I made an off hand comment the other day
to a young man,
a want to be red stripe soldier boy,
now those who do know me,
know though my flesh now is too old to play,
my heart,
my scarred and silly sentimental heart,
the part that yearns for one more chance to try,
that makes me oil steel and keep the powder dry,
is with the frightened and the brave
we pay to die
crying out for Mom
in foreign lands for causes their young souls believe
will save their country's way of life.

He was young,
weren't we all,
each and every one
with dreams of urgency and service to the flag,
and here I was
an old wag making gentle jokes about his chosen trade.

In wide eyed innocence he asked
if I had been a man made in Korea
in the war we never finished.

A war fought then ( I didn't mention I was 6 )
to show the commie devils
we could throw young lives away
as easily as they did.

I laughed
and told him no
and bought him coffee
and a piece of apple pie.

©2007 by icebox

.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

1 posted 2007-10-11 05:10 AM

Enjoyed reading this...James

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

2 posted 2007-10-11 07:05 PM

Icebox.....Something in this made me feel very sad. Those who know you know that you are much more than a box of ice.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

3 posted 2007-10-11 10:06 PM

"each and every one
with dreams of urgency"
That line underscores much of the angst that is the common history of youth...for it rings true for me, and I am one who marched then and today (forever it seems) to prevent/stop the endless fighting.

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

4 posted 2007-11-04 02:14 AM

There's no need for me to tell you how this touched me cuz you already now. *hugs*....jo

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