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Hardrock
Senior Member
since 2000-02-14
Posts 948
New Hampshire, USA

0 posted 2000-06-21 02:22 PM


Lonely Old Man

"You’ll die an old and lonely man",
My lady friend said to me.
"But that’s impossible", I replied,
"For I’m already dead, you see".

"What you see, standing here,
Is just an empty shell.
So there’s no place for me to go,
For years I’ve been in hell."

There’s been no love, no tender arms,
To hold me through the night.
And when I died, no one came,
To lead me to the light.

I wander here, on this cold earth,
With no where else to go,
I’m just passing through the years,
But why, I’ll never know.

I’m stuck in Viet Nam, you see,
I can’t wash away the mud.
I can’t sneeze away the cordite,
I can’t spit away the blood.

I can’t shut my ears to gunfire,
I can’t block out all the screams,
I can’t walk around the landmines,
I can’t block out all the dreams.

I can’t not see their faces,
As another buddy dies,
I can’t not feel the mother’s pain,
As she sits and rocks and cries.

So maybe I’m not so empty,
As I may think I am.
For I’m still filled with emotions,
Left over from Viet Nam.

So though I’m dead, my body lives,
‘Guess it was meant to be.
But when that goes, take me back,
And tie me to a tree.

Place a claymore in my lap,
Then string a tripwire tight.
Then go ahead and trip it,
‘Cause there’s no one left to fight.

Then tell my friends, I died in ‘Nam,
While still young and strong and tan,
So they won’t know I died alone,
An old and lonely man.

Marv Hardin
February 1, 2000


© Copyright 2000 Marv Hardin - All Rights Reserved
Jeremiah Johnson
Senior Member
since 2000-06-08
Posts 1223
Brooksville, Fl, U.S
1 posted 2000-06-21 02:27 PM


i've read two of your works so far and i love them i also think that you should summit this one for the book. and keep writing and i'll keep reading.

I'm a dying romantic and when i can no longer write i can no longer live -Jeremiah Johnson-


kynder
Senior Member
since 2000-04-11
Posts 537
Tallahassee, Florida
2 posted 2000-06-21 06:06 PM


you strike chords in me i would rather leave unstruck.  soooooo very rarely, sad it may seem, am i moved to tears.  you got me twice in one day.  thank you.  i guess i needed to cry today.  my respect grows with every one i choose to read... so now i will read them all, and prolly sob!!!!!!   hee hee

kynder

A woman to a man is
But a mere chapter,
But a man to a woman
Is an entire book.--
Kynder Howell

Hardrock
Senior Member
since 2000-02-14
Posts 948
New Hampshire, USA
3 posted 2000-06-21 08:41 PM


Thanks guys....your kind word of support inspire me....I guess that's what it's all about: Poets inspiring other poets.  Sorry If I made you cry Kynder.  You are tenderhearted....so I won't do it three times in a day.  But like The Terminator:  I'll be back.   Hardrock
Joel the wolf
Senior Member
since 2000-04-06
Posts 1333
Angels Camp
4 posted 2000-06-21 11:15 PM


hardrock is this your experence,?? we will talk.
anyway this is a great and masterful poem. yo have brought out years of my past I had hoped to lay to rest.
but like a good garden it's good to turn the soil a few times, to let it ?? grow.

Joel.

I howl a mournful song, that echos within my chambered heart, for all to read? nay for all to feel.

catalinamoon
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone
5 posted 2000-06-21 11:30 PM


Oh My God, that was so heart wrenching. Amazing poem.  I wrote a small one about vietnam, I think I will hide it away now, you have blown me away with this, I am not worthy.
Hardrock
Senior Member
since 2000-02-14
Posts 948
New Hampshire, USA
6 posted 2000-06-22 12:38 PM


To Joel....there is some of me in all my poems...the trick is to figure out which part.  Like you, my friend, this one came from deep within.....

To Catalina....don't hide your poem about Viet Nam away....I have tried to get someone to publish a book of poems about Viet Nam....there was some great poetry that came out of that time, and there is still some good stuff to be written by later generations on their perceptions of it.  Post it....I would like to read it.

To you both....thanks for responding....it lets me know someone cares.   Hardrock

Swåmp¤Faerÿie
Member
since 2000-03-29
Posts 358
Illinois
7 posted 2000-06-23 05:05 PM


oooh i liked the first few paragraphs the most!! i've heard this kinda thing from alotta people,including myself.....very interesting put into verse.

swamp

And there she weaves by night and day,
a magic web of colours gay.~Tennyson

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
8 posted 2000-06-23 05:47 PM


Very interesting reading and I hope your ladyfriend is wrong.  No one deserves to be lonely...James
Deborah1
Senior Member
since 2000-06-22
Posts 653
New Hampshire
9 posted 2000-07-27 10:11 PM


My heart is now in pieces, broken from the sadness, There are no words for me to express how I feel, this is way beyond the best!!!

The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose...--Hada Bejar

tookabear
Junior Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 28
Mansfield, TX USA
10 posted 2000-07-27 10:36 PM


The scars of war are not always visible.  The wounds of the soul last a lifetime.  Heartwrenching poem, Hardrock.  You're amazing.
L Tiuch
Member
since 2000-02-04
Posts 151
NY
11 posted 2000-07-27 11:24 PM


How tragically beautiful...so sad, and so heartwrenching.  My children's father did 2 tours in Viet Nam and so much of what you wrote, haunted him as well.  Please know there are people out there and that there's no need to die a lonely, old man.  Linda
Lady Lost
Member
since 2000-07-13
Posts 470

12 posted 2000-07-28 08:22 AM


You really should make this a book selection...this is one of the best poems I have ever read..I mean that.  This poem is exquisite, and wonderfully written.

You can never have too much fiction; reality can be such a bore

Lynne Dale
Member
since 2000-07-18
Posts 114
Melbourne Victoria
13 posted 2000-07-28 09:37 AM


It should be in the book selection. Soooo Sad. it made me cry.
Kethry

Kethry.
as soon as you feel too old to do a thing. Do it!

lotharingia
Senior Member
since 2000-06-04
Posts 897
saarbruecken, Germany
14 posted 2000-07-28 10:11 AM


How come did I miss this one as well?
I think I must have lost count of the amount of times you've managed to make me cry.

*sniff*
  *sniff*
    *sniff*


Lotharingia
"Dreams are life, reality, creation" Miguel de Unanumo



meara
Junior Member
since 2000-07-13
Posts 15

15 posted 2000-07-28 06:58 PM


I love this poem.  You are such an amazing writer.  I just hope that you will never stop writing.
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
16 posted 2000-07-28 07:12 PM


written with such a sensitive and tender touch, even though the subject is so bitter.  You have put together a remarkable poem!
juliet_2u
Senior Member
since 2000-07-23
Posts 1125
North Carolina
17 posted 2000-07-28 09:13 PM


Hardrock, this was so very moving. So sad but true for so many I'm sure. Take care, Juls
a-alibaster
Member
since 2000-01-08
Posts 392

18 posted 2000-07-29 09:39 AM


Hardrock,
ohhhhh, why did you make me cry....this is too wonderful!! I do not think that any one could write about such a place like you can...I know many who will not even speak of it let alone write...A place hard forgotten, but never spoken.....
I have been buisy, but stoped in to check the new words and find some thing this wonderful..........


"There is an alter ego which
dwells in every soul..."
a-alibaster

"I am as I am, nothing more, nothing less,
I am tears of pain, tears of Death.

LarBear
Member
since 2000-06-23
Posts 138
Kingston, New York
19 posted 2000-07-29 10:53 AM


Hardrock,

Well to tell you the truth, I didnt want to read this one. Cat, told me about it and I was scared to read it. Today I did. Its exactly written how I expected. You already know how I personally feel about our vets, no matter what war or non at all. I love every soldier, including you; that has dedicated there life. Life... in a sence that whats happened to the soldier will carry with them until death. Memories, better forgotten. Events that have shaped the rest of your life, believe me, I do understand. Your poem may help others understand the suffering of our vets.

Very good poem, and thanks for writing it.

Sincerly,
Larry "LarBear"

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
20 posted 2002-11-11 12:04 PM


Bump!
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
21 posted 2005-12-31 02:55 PM


hi ...just wanted to read this again..it is still remarkable.  I hope that you are well..I miss your poetry!  
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