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Open Poetry #46
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Waiting for the Call - unfurled for Memorial Day
| Open Poetry #46 |
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Waiting for the Call - unfurled for Memorial Day |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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 He sits there at the kitchen table In the solitude Somber eyes reflect the depth Of melancholy mood.. No sound intrudes to break the spell Of stillness in the night..... Alone he sits attentively Preparing for the fight. His hands are filled with wrinkles now His cheeks are furrowed deep.. A small tear streaks down gnarly face Of one who never weeps. His spine is upright as he sits With small phone by his side... Mind races back to years ago When many thousands died. He feels the rock of landing craft From movement of the sea As bullets whiz by overhead From shores on Normandy... On Iwo Jima he recalls Tears falling from his eye To watch Old Glory proudly stand Against the eastern sky. Now all he sees are images From television screen His mind still keen enough to know What falling buildings mean... His country will soon be at war To save democracy And keep the world the kind of place Whre man can still live free. He sits there waiting, Khaki-clad, A gold bar on his cap A Browning rifle by his side And helmet on his lap.. Senility has weakened him Though you won't see him fall.. He sits there waiting......ready For his President to call....   |
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| © Copyright 2010 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
The years fall by so fast... always a delight to read your words... and the sounds and heart of honor. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
When I finish wiping tears from my eyes, I'll give the applause this deserves. Straight into my library it goes... |
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threadbear Senior Member
since 2008-07-10
Posts 817Indy |
myomy, Mike! I suppose it's natural for readers to internalize a poem, but for me, I saw my grandfather plainly, going thru his WWII Navy locker at the kitchen table once, fondly stroking the canvas bowl cap. He too, went senile, sadly. Wish I had a fourth the talent in my pen, as you do, Mike! Nicely etched, jeff |
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Earl Brinkman Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183Osaka, Japan |
This reminds me of an occasion when I helped to hold a reunion for Normandy soldiers. The years may have passed but the soldiers stilled cried from old images that flickered on the television. |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
As always, very well done. Chilling to say the least. |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
This has moved me to the silence of remembrance. Thank you - Alison |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Heartfelt, and written with so much dignity. They deserve both. |
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Amaryllis Senior Member
since 2010-05-20
Posts 1306Mi now |
Wonderful write.. takes the reader right to the gripping moment with the veteran. Thank you for sharing this today, and honoring our heros all. |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
I recently had the honor to shake the hand of a veteran who served in WWII during the battle of Iwo Jima. He came to our elementary school to give a presentation on patriotism. It saddened me to know there wasn’t a single child there who understood what this man had done and what it represented. As always, I bow to you and yours... a fine piece of writing, with the greatest respect for your subject. |
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OldBuddyOldPal Member
since 2008-12-15
Posts 87 |
beautiful!!!! |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
You always manage to get it just right.I of course saw in my mind's eye and across this page, a young 17 year old sailor, in gunner position and could almost feel his thoughts and fear. He turned 18 a month after the battle of Leyte. Thank you Mike, jo |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
And the President didn't...this year. Michael, you take me to places in your poetry that I can't begin to articulate. I listen to an old soldier every now and then. They know the cost so many of us take for granted...that we will be able to have a say in our futures. They do not quibble over it, but neither do they ever forget how much they gave. Memorial. Honor. Integrity. Life.  This is heartfelt. |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
A stirring uplifting poem Mike as only you can write it. The rthym and rhyming are both spot on. Thanks for sharing this masterpiece. Lindsay |
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