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Open Poetry #37
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It Aint Easy in the Old Easy Chair
| Open Poetry #37 |
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It Aint Easy in the Old Easy Chair |
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XOx Uriah xOX Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403Virginia 
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On Saturday afternoons, Johnny would walk into town. With the chores done...it was okay to go. He had a Rhode Island Red tucked under his arm... To make money for the Picture Show. Johhny had seen all the newsreels... A box of popcorn 'tween his knees ; And Patriotism took hold, in a way... That Buying Bonds would not appease. He was only sixteen, but lied about his age ; And hoped that they would not want proof. But all the Enlistment Officer saw... Was the bullet-proof daring of youth. The United States Army welcomed him in. That "Hillbilly" had a good aim. And he travelled with Patton, through thick and thin, In the European Campaign. Although the war is over... The battle rages on... The enemy always comes out at night... And retreats before the dawn. Although the war is over... The screams still fill the air... And every night... He relives the fight... It aint easy in the old easy chair. Mama, Whats wrong with Daddy? He's cussin' and yellin', GET DOWN ! "Don't wake him, son" "It's just a bad dream" "Sometimes the ghost come around." Little Billy never did understand his dad. His dad was just... prone to bad dreams. Billy would later drown out the noise, With "Mony Mony" and "Green Tamborine". Then one day, Johnny brought his son a letter... An invitation, from Ol' Uncle Sam. Billy lit a match... And got slapped by his Dad. He landed in Viet Nam. Well, Time marches on like Time's always done... Now, Billy is married, with a daughter and son. And late in the evenings...When he doses off... He still hears the sounds of the guns. Although the war is over... The battle rages on... The enemy always comes out at night... And retreats before the dawn. Although the war is over... The screams still fill the air... Every night... He relives the fight... It aint easy in the old easy chair. Now, on Holidays, Billy always comes home, And brings the Grandkids... Oh ! What a thrill ! Now, Billy understands John, and John understands Bill... With a silence... That no words can fill. |
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| © Copyright 2006 Larry F. Leake - All Rights Reserved | |||
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
Uriah, I really enjoyed this. You write wonderful narrative poems.  |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
How very true....the cycles repeat. Brought back memories of the 60s....and now here we are again. Great write, Uriah.  ...jo |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States |
Uriah...I am quickly becoming a fan of your poetry. I can definately relate to this poem, being a teen in the 60's. To young to understand the 40's but well aware of Vietnam even though I wasen't there...Paul ~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~ |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
I haven't been doing a lot of reading lately, so a belated welcome to you! I am enjoying very much what you offer. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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