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Cursed Immortal
| Open Poetry #46 |
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Cursed Immortal |
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Gunslinger Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 901TX, USA 
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Time is of the essence only in this mortal life: With decisions seeming pressing, and days with trouble rife. But alas to we immortals...time is but a drudge- And what to you is fleeting-to us those seconds trudge. I was there when Adam wakened in God's likeness long ago: And I saw the work at Babel, workmen rushing to and fro: I walked the Hanging Gardens, in Babylon so grand- Saw the pyramids of Egypt being built upon the sand. I saw the balmy Med, you know, become a Roman lake: I walked the hills of Athens, it's beauty to partake- I marched with Ceasar's legions, into every land and clime And forefront of each battle, you would see this face of mine. I have fought the hordes of Mongols, I have fought barbaric swine I have coughed and bled my life away at least a hundred times. I have frozen in the Northlands; I have borne the desert heat- And face to face in battle, the Burmans I did meet. I have sailed the raging waters, whilst a hurricane did blow- With hell a’ragin' o'er me, and a briny grave below- I have heard the groan of timbers, I have felt the vessel shake As we took her round the Horn, lads. when I sailed with Francis Drake. I was there with valiant Pickett, as we tried to take that hill- As the flower of the Southland, their precious blood did spill. I heard the screams of dying, I smelled the stench of death- As brave men all around me were gasping their last breath. I saw the bearded oldsters, being put in shallow graves- Right beside the callow youngsters, who had never had to shave. I was there when Teddy R., led the charge up San Juan Hill- In a forest glen in Belgium, my life blood I did spill. I have fought the steamy jungles, and walked through deadly towns In a land once known for freedom, now for violence reknown. I have known a thousand comrades, and half a hundred loves Who are watching, cheering for me, in that grandstand up above. So I will ply my trade, friend; just as long as I have breath- For my business is to soldier, my commodity is death How long? I've asked it often...As a weary way I've trod- But the answer is not mine, friend, the only One who knows is God. |
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| © Copyright 2010 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
John, you covered the centuries of battle... now, cover the centuries of peace.  |
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Gunslinger Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 901TX, USA |
'Twill be my pleasure, lassie, if peace ever exists. Wars still rage, the innocent still die... if not here, elsewhere. Thanks for replying. |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
These last two posts of yours tonight were well received. You have not lost your touch. Good to see you writing again. latearrival |
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Amaryllis Senior Member
since 2010-05-20
Posts 1306Mi now |
Wow.. I thoroughly enjoyed this ride.. at first I was hesitant when I noticed your aa/bb rhyme scheme, since it is not a favorite of mine.. but then, as I read further, I noticed your steady hand at meter and your use of fresher rhyme, and was captivated  . A very fun read, even if the subject is war/death (which isn`t supposed to be described as `fun`, I suppose! ha)... well written. ~Amaryllis . ps: Do you enjoy Service? I hear his influence here, I think? |
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