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Sven

Member Laureate

since 1999-11-23

Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA

0 posted 2002-02-11 10:37 AM

*This is the Second Reading from my Mass for Peace in Our Time*

Reader: A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost

For he that is in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace and things wherewith one may edify another

(Romans 14:17-19)

Reader: The Word of the Lord
Assembly: Thanks be to God

following
that's all I've been doing
following

I followed the road that you chose for me
and it has led me here
to this place
          to a place I never even knew existed
                    until now
Vietnam

and, I lead here
but, in my leading, I am only yet again
following
          following orders
                    following that line
it's the only life I've ever known
          the only thing that I've ever done
                    is there no more?

am I the only one?
       or, am I the me that they want me to be?
a follower
      following
             leading
                    following

I hear that back home,
      they're calling us things,
             names I can't even begin to repeat
they're crying for peace
      begging the powers to bring us back home
             they say we don't belong here
well, if we don't belong here
      where do we belong?

behind a desk?
          behind a plow?
                    behind the wheel?
if it were up to some of them, they might say that
          I belong behind bars
perhaps I do
          I've killed here
                    killed to defend my life
                              killed to defend their lives
and for what?
       to just be a follower?
              a leader of other followers?
or, was it to preserve
       what some would call peace?
              does war bring peace?
                     or, does war bring more war?

those questions are not for me to ask
       I know Dad,
              I'm just a follower, like you were
following these others
                       like you followed your father
                            and before him
                                 and before him
                                      and before him
the only thing is Dad,
       I don't want to follow those
              who are going home

                                         in a box

from a letter from Sergeant J.R. Hollingsworth, IV, 4th Airborne Division, Bravo Company, serving in Vietnam

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Note: Again, please note that the name "J.R. Hollingsworth" is fiction, and that this poem is my idea of just what someone in his position would have said as a reaction to the reading above.

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

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

skyshine

Member Elite

since 2002-02-07

Posts 3058
Beneath the northern stars

1 posted 2002-02-11 10:42 AM

This is so powerful...wow. Here's to peace.

sky

Temptress

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-06-15

Posts 7136
Mobile, AL

2 posted 2002-02-11 11:28 PM

AHEM!

And this beautiful part in a series is at the bottom of the page BECAUSE?

Geesh..
Nice story, Sven Pen!

For all who watch.Dare you say hello? Come in and ask the questions that are on your mind, but spare me your judgement until you truly sipped of me.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

3 posted 2002-02-12 12:01 PM

Substantial writing Sven...James

Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

4 posted 2002-02-12 03:52 PM

Sven...if J.R. were real...I do believe he
would have said these words...Very well
written...

Interloper

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-06

Posts 8369
Deep in the heart

5 posted 2002-02-12 03:58 PM

We did follow those boxes but, thankfully, on our feet, or in a wheelchair, or on crutches, or in a daze.

What a wonderful greeting we got when we came home. Mother crying when espying her son. Son desparately holding back tears ... after all, I AM a man.

And don't forget the rest ... the ones who spat upon the uniform and threw bags of indescribable filth.

The guys in the boxes missed all that.

I wonder who was the more fortunate, me or my best friend.

Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

6 posted 2002-02-12 04:28 PM

Powerful write here Sven!
Thank you for this.
~Hugs, Nancy~

~Love transcends time and space~

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

7 posted 2002-02-12 04:53 PM

BRAVO!!! Oh my gosh, this is wonderful, sweet friend, peace and fellowship of God shines in this gorgeous poem, sweet friend, we are all indeed followers and He will always guide us with His love as we embrace His light! (big hugggsssss) We all love you so much, sweet freind, Amen!!! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Sven, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Sven

Member Laureate

since 1999-11-23

Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA

8 posted 2002-02-13 10:43 AM

thank you all. . . this series will continue. . .

and Interloper. . . I don't know the answer to that question my friend. . . perhaps both of you, or neither. . .

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

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