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Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 1999-06-15 06:02 PM


( repost from other site )


The soldier boy was sitting calmly underneath that tree.
As I approached it, I could see him beckoning to me.
The battle had been long and hard and lasted through the night
And scores of figures on the ground lay still by morning's light.

"I wonder if you'd help me, sir", he smiled as best he could.
"A sip of water on this morn would surely do me good.
We fought all day and fought all night with scarcely any rest -
A sip of water for I have a small pain in my chest."

As I looked at him, I could see the large stain on his shirt
All reddish-brown from his warm blood mixed in with Asian dirt.
"Not much", said he. "I count myself more lucky than the rest.
They're all gone while I just have a small pain in my chest."

"Must be fatigue", he weakIy smiled. "I must be getting old.
I see the sun is shining bright and yet I'm feeling cold.
We climbed the hill, two hundred strong, but as we cleared the crest,
The night exploded and I felt this small pain in my chest."

"I looked around to get some aid - the only things I found
Were big, deep craters in the earth - bodies on the ground.
I kept an firing at them, sir. I tried to do my best,
But finally sat down with this small pain in my chest."

"I'm grateful, sir", he whispered, as I handed my canteen
And smiled a smile that was, I think, the brightest that I've seen.
"Seems silly that a man my size so full of vim and zest,
Could find himself defeated by a small pain in his chest."

"What would my wife be thinking of her man so strong and grown,
If she could see me sitting here, too weak to stand alone?
Could my mother have imagined, as she held me to her breast,
That I'd be sitting HERE one day with this pain in my chest?"

"Can it be getting dark so soon?" He winced up at the sun.
"It's growing dim and I thought that the day had just begun.
I think, before I travel on, I'll get a little rest ..........
And, quietly, the boy died from that small pain in his chest.

I don't recall what happened then. I think I must have cried;
I put my arms around him and I pulled him to my side
And, as I held him to me, I could feel our wounds were pressed
The large one in my heart against the small one in his chest.

© Copyright 1999 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
Leigh Anne
Junior Member
since 1999-06-15
Posts 48
Scottsboro, AL USA
1 posted 1999-06-15 08:48 PM


Your poem was so vivid and beautiful. Though heart wrenching at times. You posess such talent, & i can't wait to read more of your work!
Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
2 posted 1999-06-15 09:05 PM


Your kind words are greatly appreciated, Leigh Ann. Thank you.
fjones
Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 98
MS
3 posted 1999-06-15 09:08 PM


I have yet to read a contemporary poet whose words have the power to envoke the emotions yours "conger up" in me.
Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
4 posted 1999-06-15 09:14 PM


Thanks. I accept your conger-adulations with pride!
Wolfgang
Member
since 1999-05-24
Posts 124
Hamilton, Ont. Canada
5 posted 1999-06-15 09:22 PM


A truly touching and heartfelt poem. A great tribute to all soldiers.
What tears you must have shed writing this emotional work.
Thank you


------------------
Wolfgang

Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
6 posted 1999-06-15 09:26 PM


and thank you, Wolfgang, for your insight...
Krystal
Member
since 1999-06-19
Posts 140
Shelton,WA USA
7 posted 1999-06-21 04:30 AM


Every time I read something that you wrote, I am moved beyond words! Judging from all the responses you accumulate, you already know you are talented... but I'll tell you anyway. Your poetry is among the best I've ever read... if not THE best I've ever read!!

This poem, especially, was a tear-jerker. I am so impressed! (I especially liked the last two lines... wonderful!)

------------------
Shannon D. Montgomery
("Krystal")

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
8 posted 1999-06-21 10:50 AM


Krystal,

Words liek yours make it easy for me to keep going. I value your appreciation very much. Thank you.

Marie
New Member
since 1999-06-17
Posts 6
Stafford,TX,United States
9 posted 1999-06-21 02:07 PM


Absolutely touching. Is it O.K. if I let my boss look at it (he is a friend of a publisher) I know him VERY well, and he (my boss) would really like this one. My boss says anything he likes, his friend the publisher likes it. (usually)
ChristelleS
Junior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 15
San Diego, Ca. U.S.A.
10 posted 1999-06-21 02:24 PM


You touch me

------------------
Christelle S.


Balladeer
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
11 posted 1999-06-21 03:31 PM


Marie.....please, with my blessing and thank you for caring.

and you, Christelle.....

Genea
Member
since 1999-06-15
Posts 321
USA
12 posted 1999-06-21 03:59 PM


Balladeer,

Such emotion, such courage, such ....goodness! Powerful comes to mind. Anything else i say, pales in comparison to this wonderful poem.

Loved it!
~Genea

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
13 posted 1999-06-29 06:27 PM


My Deer Balladeer.....
I never told you how much I like this poem!!!
Silly me....

Lost Dreamer
Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464
Somewhere near the Rainbow
14 posted 1999-06-29 06:45 PM


Once again you move me with your talent. It seems you can reach any plane with such percision
elvira
Senior Member
since 1999-07-06
Posts 936
California
15 posted 1999-07-16 11:25 PM


such goosebumps...simply delightful...thank you Michael

------------------
Childhood Memories...your countenance...hoarse whispers...My One and Only...Tribute to M.J... serving wench...stolen hours...devotion...Master...apart...



Poetwheel
Member
since 1999-07-07
Posts 208
Canada
16 posted 1999-07-16 11:32 PM


You da man! Lets go play a round of golf sometime!
PW

------------------
Poetic Wheelbarrow
http://www.stormloader.com/poetwheel/den.html


CastleHoward
Junior Member
since 1999-07-12
Posts 20

17 posted 1999-07-27 05:56 AM


What can I say but that I cried... yes, really... the futility of lost lives in war... oh, that was truly beautiful, Balladeer
guiltborn
Junior Member
since 1999-07-26
Posts 30
South Dakota
18 posted 1999-07-27 10:10 AM


wow... a three lettered word that explains in every detail my amazement at your talent. You truly have a gift for wordsmithing. Thank you for sharing. I believe this poem shows the futility of war and the fact that even in adversity and when facing death, that not even war can break the human spirit.

poetFemmeFatale
Member Elite
since 1999-07-25
Posts 2646
Arkansas
19 posted 1999-07-27 10:52 AM


Dear Sir, how much time do you invest in writing something such as this ? I rarely comment on your work because you receive such rave reviews, but I love them just the same!! If only I had more time on my hands, and more patience with myself...but I could only hope to be a fraction of what you are!!! Fabulous...

------------------
- poet FemmeFatale

"The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone..." Henrik Ibsen (1826-1906) Norwegian dramatist lyric poet


Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
20 posted 1999-07-27 02:24 PM


Fellow poets, if my poem moved you to tears, then we're even because your comments have done the same for me. Thank you all.


Poetwheel, any time. Bring money.

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
21 posted 1999-07-27 07:41 PM


Balladeer....I have been away from the poetry side of this for a few days and nearly missed this wonderful poem. What a loss it would have been for me. As I sit here with tears in my eyes I can't help but think of what a master story teller you are. This was exquisetly written and a piece for which you should be very proud. Now get it out there somewhere besides here!!! If you need ideas where, I have a few for you.

------------------
"Nobody has measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold" ~Zelda Fitzgerald

Andrew Scott
Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
22 posted 1999-07-27 08:29 PM


Everything that has been said I would say to you again. You are a master of words! Your colletive work is like a kaleidoscope of the human heart. Thank you for sharing all that you do.
Jessica Pahre
Junior Member
since 1999-07-22
Posts 12
Fort Polk, LA, USA
23 posted 1999-07-27 11:07 PM


I'm sitting here trying to type through tears. Your mastery of words is just breathtaking, and inspiring. Particularly this poem. I grew up in the military, and married into it as well, and all too often I look around to see the impartial, unhuman side of things -- not to mention live with fear for what might happen to my husband should he be sent off onto a battlefield. It may sound odd, to say thank you, for this piece, but... Thank You.
Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
24 posted 1999-07-27 11:32 PM


My thanks to you, Jessica. Let's pray it never happens.

Andrew, Hoot...thank you both.

Princess Lily
Member
since 1999-07-13
Posts 149
USA
25 posted 1999-07-27 11:40 PM


Very beautiful and heart-wrenching.I love your work so much!!
Keep 'em coming...sometimes we all need to be jerked back into reality.~~Meli

------------------
We see only what we want to see~unless perhaps~we believe



Doogle
Junior Member
since 2000-02-19
Posts 11
London
26 posted 2001-10-14 11:56 AM


Michael
Yesterday I received my copy of "the book". I was reading through and your poem really stood out. It is truly fantastic, both technically and emotionally. Can I ask if it is in any way based on a real occurence? It is just so real. Like many others, I cried. This morning I showed my mother. She cried. We sat there blubbing away like a right pair!
Well I am off to scan the pages for more of your work! Thank you for perhaps the best poem I have ever read!
Sarah

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
27 posted 2001-10-14 08:40 PM


...and I thank you for possibly the most heart-felt response I have ever received. Was it based on a real experience? Yes and no, I suppose. No....it didn't happen to me or anyone I knew. I simply drew on my experience as a Viet Nam vet to create it. Yes...because I'm sure it did happen, unfortunately, way too many times. Thank you, Sarah, very much for your kind words...Michael  
Hypnosis
Member
since 2001-12-02
Posts 325
CO
28 posted 2001-12-04 11:43 PM


Another very nice poem.  I have read a few of your poems, and i have to say that they are very powerful and make me think about what life really is, and how fragile in this world it can be to break.  This poem here pulled a tear to my eye.

     Randy Meador

a life lived unexplored is a life not worth living.

Justbleu
Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329
Oregon, Originally From Alaska :)
29 posted 2003-05-22 09:16 AM


This is a very sad reality Michael and I remember this one well!!!!  Your talent shines in this piece!!!!  
HUGS,
Bridgette

"Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again.  To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown


Local Parasite
Deputy Moderator 10 Tours
Member Elite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527
Transylconia, Winnipeg
30 posted 2003-05-22 02:29 PM


I read this before on your website, 'Deer... just coming here to tell you that I think it's brilliantly touching, which you no doubt already know... and that I'm putting it in my private library among several of your others...

Great work.

Parasite

Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Local Parasite
Deputy Moderator 10 Tours
Member Elite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527
Transylconia, Winnipeg
31 posted 2003-05-22 02:30 PM


Helps to hit the button.  
Trillium
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
32 posted 2003-11-05 02:59 PM


Balladeer:  How could anyone read this and not cry?  It's an outstanding write and you surely feel pride in what you have done!

Betty Lou Hebert

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
33 posted 2003-11-07 09:18 AM


Worthy of a repost - every time a soldier falls - every anniversary that we honor our men who serve their country.
latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
34 posted 2005-01-18 05:22 AM


Yes indeed,worthy of a repost. There is a huge three sided bullentin board at work displaying letters and photos from service people in Iraq to whom we write and send packages. May I have permission to post this there? Best to you, you certainly know how to play the heart strings. best,marty
Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

35 posted 2005-01-18 05:44 AM


'Deer, this is my fav of yours, every time without fail, this moves me to tears.

soft smile

Maree  


all I can taste is this moment, all I can breathe is your life, cause sooner or later it's over, I just don't want to miss you tonight.~GooGooDolls~

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
36 posted 2005-01-18 09:13 PM


Marty, permission granted with my heartfelt thanks!

Maree, always an extreme pleasure to see your name. Thank you

saved_by_grace
Member
since 2005-01-08
Posts 332
In the arms of God...
37 posted 2005-01-18 11:59 PM


  Incredible!!!  I can't even begin to discribe the amount of emotion you brought to my eyes and heart.  This was an amazing write, Deer!!!  
Thought I was going to go to bed, but find myself transfixed on finding more.  
Keep 'em rollin' off our pen...[I am glad that I have many more to catch up on ...I will probably never get through them all at the pace I am going...with the responding to every one, but they are all worthy of response!   ]  

Keepin' this one!  --  Becka

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
38 posted 2005-01-20 03:14 AM


Thank you. Your piece is hanging and sharing a space with photos and letters of some of the men and women "over there". A nice added touch.I hope many stop to read as they pass by.Your photo is right there on top side to give you credit. best marty
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
39 posted 2005-01-20 07:32 PM


Becka, thank you again, my friend. Writing for people like you is a pleasure
Marty, what can I say? This is a great honor you have given me and I'll not forget it. Thank you so very much! (hope my pic doesn't scare them away!)

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
40 posted 2005-01-21 01:04 AM


Balladeer: Never worry, my 35 yesar old daughter said you are a nice looking man. So there! marty
Klassy Lassy
Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187
Oregon
41 posted 2006-02-12 05:40 PM


I read your poems and see your heart beneath that sunny facade. Incredible write, Mike....seems like a lame comment, but this one overwhelms me.  It touches too close to home for many, and somehow I have a feeling it is very close to you.

Hugs

~ Karen ~


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