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Open Poetry #26
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Boys Who Went to War.....a salute
| Open Poetry #26 |
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Boys Who Went to War.....a salute |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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Where are all the smiling kids of your school's Christmas play? Where are all the quarterbacks who always saved the day? Where are all the romeos who swept young hearts away? Winds picked them up and took them far… Our boys were blown away to war. Remember Billy Schneider and his stack of baseball cards? Or what about big Joe LeRoc, the leader of the Lords? They tell me that young Jimmy's gone, who used to mow the yards. From Viet Nam to Zanzibar… Our boys were blown away to war. Those schoolboy faces turn to shock as bullets pass their heads. From innocence to horror as they see the blood they've shed Instead of fighting just for fun they fight for life instead. Young innocence is scattered far When boys are blown away to war. No boys return from battlelines, for into men they've grown With faces aged a thousand years from what the war has shown. Cheer the lucky who returned and, for the rest, a moan A Purple Heart or Silver Star In place of boys who went to war.  |
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| © Copyright 2003 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Thank you Michael, You have written a nice tribute to those boys, now men... some very old...many no longer with us.. Yuh Dun Gud!! |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
God Bless Them... and all of our Veterans. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Balladeer That was a heavy hammer you drove the nail in with. And your just the one that could do it. |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
While a purple heart holds a poignant meaning... It will never replace a single lost soldier's true heart. This is a wonderful Memorial Day tribute, m'Deer...  |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Michael...blown away to war, never boys again. What a poignant poem, and as always, well done! |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Those are the real faces of war. A rousing and power-packed piece of writing, Sir Deer. Peace, Love & Light, EA |
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Startime55 Member Elite
since 2003-04-05
Posts 2148Alberta, Canada |
BRAVO!!!!Your talent shines as you salute with your words the boys(now men) who went to war...I love the way you made me take notice and remember... |
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Richy Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050 |
Hi Michael, you know I’ve only been here a short while. But I would have bet more then a few dollars, that fellahs like you and Barry, and probably more, that I just haven’t gotten to yet. Would write some real beautiful tributes today, in honor of, those special Americans who never returned. It’s really tough, to think of anyone losing their life, let alone one or more of my three sons, on a foreign soil, so that we can continue to live in peace, and in freedom. But unfortunately, it seems like it will be something that we will always have to deal with, in one way or another. Thanks again Michael, for reminding us how important this day is. And for helping to make us aware of how much we owe to everyone, who sacrificed their life, for us, and for our country. I am very proud to know you Michael My Sincerest Thanks, Richy |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
'No boys return from battlelines, for into men they've grown With faces aged a thousand years from what the war has shown. Cheer the lucky who returned and, for the rest, a moan A Purple Heart or Silver Star In place of boys who went to war.' Michael...been awhile. You still do this like no one else and make it seem effortless.  |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
Again you wrote a beautiful tribute Deer, your words have a way of hitting my heart. Titia Like scattered leaves...my words will flow |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (big hugggssssssss) God Bless You, sweet friend, you know I am heavily against war and wish that our soldiers no longer had to be soldiers in that case, nevertheless I support the troops just for their safety and protection under our Lord and their courage! (sigh) I still cry every time I look at the flag on this very day, God Bless You, you are a very fine patriot indeed, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Balladeer, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton Underneath your clothes, there's an endless story |
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Frank Tymon Junior Member
since 2003-05-11
Posts 27California, USA |
On the Moving Wall you see their names. On tablet after tablet. In a quiet corner of a closet, the flag, three fold, Of those boys blown to war. And though it were but one tablet, one name, one flag, Always, it is one too many. Let's pray they return, and pray for those who don't. Frank Tymon |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Magnus...yep, we are getting a little old, aren't we?  At least we're alive to grow old...too many didn't get that opportunity.Sunshine...wholeheartedly! Sy...sad that the nails were for coffins. Thanks for reading, my friend. Nan...no, it won't. It was Napoleon who said "I have discovered the greatest secret in the world. Men will die for bits of colored ribbon." It's not a fair trade... Martie...thanks for coming by. No, never boys again. I am still awed at the way our young soldiers have just handled themselves...amazing! EA...Yes, the real faces are the ones smiling at girls one day and fighting for their lives the next...they are all heros in their own way. Startime...if my words caused you to take notice, it was all worthwhile. I appreciate your words very much... Richy, I'm afraid you are right. It's something we will all have to deal with. I think having a son in war is much more difficult than being in the war ourselves. Thank you very much for your kindness and for reading... Duncan...yes, as effortless as you make your style look, the one I've beaten my head against the wall trying to succeed in I thank you, sir....Titia...how could my words miss? You have a heart as big as the world! Noah....how I agree! I also wish there were no need for soldiers but I pray for every one of them, also...good words, sir Frank...Yes, I've seen that wall..and friends whose names were there. Even one name is too many. Thank you for your excellent reply.... |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
Hi Mr. Balladeer, sir! You wrote a wonderful tribute here. |
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Ringo
since 2003-02-20
Posts 3684Saluting with misty eyes |
Great job as always. Day after day I'm more confused, |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
 awesome writing! |
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paladin
since 2001-08-05
Posts 930Pensacola,Fl. |
The price of freedom is paid with patriot blood.We should be carefull in choosing how we spend men's lifes.When reason fails,war prevails.Strive for peace but always be ready for war.There it is. paladin |
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SgtMac Junior Member
since 2003-05-19
Posts 13 |
Beautiful |
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SimplyGold Senior Member
since 2002-07-10
Posts 1453 |
Balladeer, I'm taken with this. This is a beautiful tribute to those who went, those who came back, to those who made the sacrific and never returned. God Bless each and everyone. Well done! SG |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
You know that list of favorites I was telling you about? This has just joined them. Thank you for this superb tribute, sir... |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
This is excellent writing...James |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Michael, thank you so much for this wonderful tribute. It had to be written by one of those boys who came back as a man. Thank you, Sir.  Ethel  [This message has been edited by garysgirl (06-01-2003 07:34 AM).] |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
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Broken_Winged_Angel Senior Member
since 2000-04-06
Posts 994Small Town, Somewhere |
I really wish this was reposted somewhere... to remind everyone to remember those of us fighting now. Thank you for another terrific poem. ~BWA~ |
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