Roll a Smoke and Thank the Lord ... Lest we Forget

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Rex Allen McCoy
Member Elite

since 2000-01-30

Posts 2863
Sippin a Timmy's in London

0 posted 2001-11-11 11:57 AM

Roll  a  Smoke  and  Thank  the  Lord
~~~

The  rains
increase  the  shiver
to  the  marrow  of  your  bones
You  shake
instead  of  shiver
from  your  teeth
right  to  your  toes
Your  clothes
your  kit  and  blankets
are  soaked  and  ripped  and  tore
The  home  you  dug's  a  cesspool
its'  dryest  part
a  mucky   floor
The  water  stinks
in  filthy  pools
you'd  waste  your  time  to  bail
You  crack  a  joke
and  no  one  laughs
they  didn't  hear  your  tale
~
Then  rolling  thunder
from  the  guns
as  shells  burst  everywhere
Sand  bag  walls
not  much  defence
when  shells  moan  through  the  air
One  lands  inside  a  dugout
an  arm
lands  by  your  side
The  air  is  filled
with  smoke
and  screams
the  stench  of  friends  that  died
Your  prayers  to  god
your  only  link
your  sanity  slipping  yet
You  roll  a  smoke
and  thank  the  lord
It's  not  a  cigarette
~~~

Chanson
Senior Member

since 2000-08-19

Posts 1559
Up Creek w/Out Paddle

1 posted 2001-11-11 12:32 PM

So bleak yet the most honest depiction of the life of our servicemen and women at war I've read in a while.

Thank you greatly for the reminder.
Nice write.

catalinamoon

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-03

Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone

2 posted 2001-11-11 12:59 PM

Wow, how very horrible this was and is, you speak it as though you hve lived it. Very powerful stuff.
Sandra

Poet deVine

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-26

Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

3 posted 2001-11-11 01:10 PM

I guess I expected humor from you Rex and instead got a very stark portrayal of a soldiers life..thank you. It's excellent!

Lucie
Senior Member

since 1999-06-20

Posts 1077
Houston

4 posted 2001-11-11 02:23 PM

Excellent write, excellent read, excellent..excellent..excellent...and did I say I liked it too?

Remember me with a smile on your face, or please don't remember me at all.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

5 posted 2001-11-11 04:46 PM

You write a bad situation good...James

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

6 posted 2001-11-11 05:13 PM

Makes it sound as you know of which you speak, Rex....very well done.

Rex Allen McCoy
Member Elite

since 2000-01-30

Posts 2863
Sippin a Timmy's in London

7 posted 2001-11-11 05:30 PM

I thankyou all for reading and responding to this ... My brothers were in Nam ... I joined the Canadian Armed forces.
Lucky enough not to see any action, but I do remember their letters and stories
~

Sven

Member Laureate

since 1999-11-23

Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA

8 posted 2001-11-11 10:19 PM

well done Rex. . . a very real picture of the time. . .

today, they dedicated the new Michigan Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. . . a wall with the names of all of those who are lost and who died. . . I plan to see it soon. . .

-----------------------------------------------------------

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

Kit McCallum

Administrator

Member Laureate

since 2000-04-30

Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada

9 posted 2001-11-11 10:23 PM

An incredibly vivid piece Rex, written with your flawless rhythm and rhyme. A very descriptive portrayal indeed. Lest we forget ...

Best wishes,
/Kit

Tracey
Member Elite

since 2001-08-29

Posts 2808
where insanity meets breeding

10 posted 2001-11-11 10:24 PM

Great write Rex. No, we shall never forget. I joined the legion this year, and it makes me immensly proud to stand beside those who have fought for us, and to remember those who have died for us.

If she who dies with the most toys wins, then can I have some toy boys please?

Startime
Member Ascendant

since 2000-10-03

Posts 5918
Canada

11 posted 2001-11-11 10:28 PM

Painfully real and a poem everyone should read. Very well said and very powerfully written.

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

12 posted 2001-11-11 10:33 PM

Exceptionately well done Rex! ~hugs, Nancy~

~I've loved you forever, in lifetimes before.~

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