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Veteran's Day
| Open Poetry #10 |
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Veteran's Day |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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So there they are - they watch - they see the homeless on the streets Wearing faded khakis looking for a scrap to eat. They watch farms going belly up as politicians thrive While there are still so many who need more food to survive. They watch God get expelled from school - He couldn't make the grade And only Mets and Yankees get a ticker tape parade. They watch our flag go up in flames on anybody's lawn Since any laws that banned that disrespect have long since gone. They watch our ships blow up with young Americans inside While military strength's gone down in substance and in pride. They watch protestors shake their fists and ridicule because They claim that our great country's not the country that it was. They watch top politicians quite content to disregard The Constitution and its laws for personal rewards And O.J. still plays golf and half the world is still at war... They watch and try to contemplate what it was really for. They watch...they stare...they do so as they've done for many years With eyes long since unable to produce the needed tears. Their voices cry in unison in sad, melodic tones.... In Arlington - on this day - it is not the wind that moans... [This message has been edited by Balladeer (edited 11-11-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
Amen! Bravo! Thank you! We sure needed this. I pray the wind will send a gentle prayer of thank you to rest over the graves of those who gave their lives for their country. My parents both served in World War II, my stepfather-in-law in Korea, I get chills when I see the tears in his eyes at the state of the country. I believe God weeps and tends to the graves of those who served, until He takes them home....again. < !signature--> "When red-haired girls scamper like roses over the rain-green grass, and the sun drips honey."" Laurie Lee Kathleen [This message has been edited by Irish Rose (edited 11-11-2000).] |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Yes Balladeer and my heart feels the pain...James |
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inot2B Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205Arkansas |
Yes what you say is true. So many fought to protect this flag, we few still hold dear. Where has the country gone so wrong? Our heros who protected us are ignored while the ones who run this country won't even protect our flag, much less our veterans.  |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
I spent Memorial Day one year in Washington DC , most of the time by the Vietnam Memorial wall, and you are right, the moaning was heard throughout the day, veterans still weeping for their lost buddies, hugging each other in grief. It was a very emotional scene. And so your poem evoked these emotions on this Veterans Day. Very well written and packed with sentiment. You remind us of many things that have been turned askew in our democracy Liz |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Balladeer, And I'll add another Bravo. Well done. |
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Rainydays Member
since 2000-10-21
Posts 324 |
I've never heard this haunting truth so well expressed. I wish I knew how to tell you. Rainydays |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
This is WONDERFUL!!! i LOVE it... you are so well spoken and have so much to say about so much and this... this is an IMPORTANT piece....... excellent, Michael!!  excellent! |
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Victoria
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869 |
a sad day indeed..i watched a program the other night ..prisoners of war in world war two i couldnt sleep after watching it..the torture that the military went through..was unthinkable..what a terrible cold thing a war is..my heart went out to the poor soldiers that died while in the camps..of starvation and some were decapitated..it was a real eye opener for me...how brave they were. ~Victoria~< !signature--> A poem is never finished, only abandoned. - Paul Valery (1871-1945) [This message has been edited by Victoria (edited 11-11-2000).] |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
Michael, I'll echo the bravo for writing this much needed peace, If we remember the war and the veterans we should never forget why they fought so we could 'cry freedom'. Well done! Be well Lynne Why do yesterdays remain and todays pass by ...unnoticed? Rex E. Alford |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
THIS is exactly what I mean when I say YOU write with so much wisdom and poetic heart you are a class act poet sir... this one proves my point in spades... thank you for this today...very much jm |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Simply superb. |
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peppermint35 Senior Member
since 2000-05-28
Posts 1106Texas, USA |
Well done, indeed!!! My dad served in World War II; my friends and ex-husband in Vietnam; so many friends who are no longer with us...for them we mourn. Veterans from that same period who do not receive the respect and honor they deserve. Pepper "I honor the place in you, that when you are in that place, and I am in that place in me, we are in the same place" Ram Dass |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Excellent writing, Balladeer. I'm sure they must wonder at times if the sacrifice was worth it. Very well expressed. Denise |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Balladeer~ You touch me. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ [email protected] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
'Deer, those who cannot speak today, would have thanked you... as I do... Karilea If I whisper, will you listen?... I would rather be silent and write, then speak loudly and be bound. KRJ |
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Gemini Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203Wisconsin, USA |
Balladeer-Left me with a tear or two, very splendidly done. Your words are striking and poignant. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Balladeer--So much truth and wisdom is in this poem...it hurts my heart to read it. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I shouldn't have read this, Deer One. *S* For I logged on tonight to post a poem... and that poor scribbling is blown completely away by this masterpiece. (As is anything I write when compared to yours... I'm used to it! LOL) But we still owe our veterans a tremendous debt of gratitude... so I'll offer mine. *S* This is so sadly true... Well done! |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you all, great friends and poets. Veteran's Day is very special to me and I appreciate your sharing your thoughts on this very important day. |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
Sir Balladeer... You write with the perfection of truth... were it not so in this case. My respect and admiration to those who have served this country...my best to you and yours on this day of remembrance. Peace my friend. |
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CocoBaci Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 3043 |
Balladeer a superb write on a day to reflect the many man/woman who sacrificed and so this day we walk in crowds, adorning our lapels with red poppies whilst attending to ceremonies and parades in honor of remembering... Thank you for this read today [This message has been edited by CocoBaci (edited 11-12-2000).] |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Perhaps one of your best, my Deer friend... and quite deserving of another go-round..  |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Poignant and bang on, Deer. You nailed this. Corinne |
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