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Open Poetry #33
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When Duty Calls
| Open Poetry #33 |
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When Duty Calls |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
Fields to ready for winters rest theres cows to be butchered late fall canning to be done fences to mend before snowfall But then duty calls and instead of soft falling leaves there is the barrage of antiaircraft guns machine guns and automatic weaons sand in his dinner and merciless heat Humming softly as she bakes cookies and bread to send overseas she pauses now and again to caress a belly swollen with his first child But then duty calls and instead of his son he cradles a strange child, frightened and crying torn from his family lost alone dying Letters travel slowly across the seas of water and sand trivial things because she cant tell him how hard its been without him and he cant tell of the blood and nightmares But then duty calls and he picks up his gun to fight once more for a flag, a dream, a child yet to be born And she goes on each day storing memories for him because thats what you do When duty calls. |
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| © Copyright 2004 Paula Finn - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Copperbell Senior Member
since 2003-11-08
Posts 956 |
wow...I love this |
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Pilgrimage Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945Texas, USA |
This is simple, and simply true. It made me weepy, but in a good way. Nan (Pilgrim variety) |
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DavePage Member Elite
since 2003-12-21
Posts 2917 |
The country can and will be what it want's to be. concentration camps were not invented by the Germans but by the the British and used again in Malaya by the British and I am British killing innocent people who were not involved in anything was devised by the CIA in South America to frighten and denie assistance. The British used disease, the Americans were apparently more humane - the killed. All of this is on record. War is not a game - you win or lose, or play games when you dont wan't anyone to win or lose, but to enjoy those Swiss bank accounts. dave |
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Kevo Member
since 2004-06-02
Posts 466Navarro County, Texas, USA |
Paula, Your poem was a touching tribute, this coming from a former Marine Corps Sgt. I applaud your appreciation for the committment and sacrifice that goes along with duty both at home with the family and abroad with the warrior. It is not something anyone necessarily wishes for and I wanted to say thank you for my brothers still in arms for this touching write that lifts them and their families up where they belong. Dave - I would have to say that your factoid about killing innocent people beginning with the the US (CIA) in South America seemed a bit skewed. Since the dawn of time there has been blood shed by innocent men, woman, and children. The bible tells of it, if you believe in the Good Word, if not cave walls tell of it, books tell of it, resources are available regarding it. Of course, most of that in history revolves around differences in religious beliefs, doctrines, etc. If you're looking for something more recent look at WWII. Hitler and his Nazis killed 6,000,000 innocent people. Sadam Hussein tethered innocent men, woman, and children to rooftops as human shields. There is a lot going on that makes me as sick as you feel about the loss of life. This country isn't perfect by any means but you don't see refugees heading the other way. By in large, we are a very ethical populace. We are also one of the few, I can attest, that live and breathe the Acts of the Geneva Convention, having served in the Marines for 8 years. It was force-fed to me and seared into memory for 8 years on dealing with war criminals, prisoners, engaging enemy forces, and my own conduct in regards to all of the above if engaged in one of the scenarios. Of course, I respect your opinion entirely, I really just wanted to say hey, killing innocent people began before this country was a twinkle in everyone's eye. I hope you take no offense. It was not written out of malice, to the contrary I am only offering my perspective and in know way is biased by any opinion I have on current affairs. Paula, Sorry to use this post as any kind of a platform for a respectful, and peaceful rebuttal. Your post touched me. Warm regards to Paula and Dave always, Kevin |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
...I love this, especially the ending |
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Snowflake From Hell Senior Member
since 2003-07-10
Posts 777My own little Icey Oblivion |
you must still watch the news :P good write mother One cannot see what lies within if one does not see the obvious |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
Thanks to you all for reading what was actually said. Kevo please feel free to say what you will. I seem to bring this out in Mr. Page as he wrote a similar response in the other poem I have posted at this time "We Hold These Truths". I actually want to thank you for your response to him as I can't seem to get past the anger his replies have generated in me. |
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