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Open Poetry #39
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THE BATTLE FOR BAGHDAD
| Open Poetry #39 |
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THE BATTLE FOR BAGHDAD |
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Tom Zart Senior Member
since 2006-05-18
Posts 682 |
THE BATTLE FOR BAGHDAD BAGHDAD Determined though scared, I walk my beat, On the deadly streets of Baghdad. Searching for any who plot our harm, Or by our death are joyous and glad. Standing in shadows caused by the moon, I’m reminded of my nights back home. I wonder if the woman I love Is growing tired of sleeping alone? I feel remorse for all who live here, For this place is a madman’s hell. And those who wish to keep it that way Must be killed or locked away in jail. My greatest fear is not my death, But that I’ll end up in a wheelchair. Disabled for the rest of my life, Depending on others for my care. My wife, she prays for my safe return, As night and day more GI’s are killed. She knows quite well, whatever it takes, The oath I’ve given will be fulfilled. SADDAM The king of Baghdad has fallen, Never to dictate again. Man shall sentence him for this crimes, And heaven shun him for his sin. For his tyranny, he was famous, In every capital on earth. ‘Till apprehended in his spider hole, Completely stripped of his worth. He is guilty of rape and genocide, While he ruled without remorse. His power and prestige were toppled; Once George Bush set his course. Though it may seem that the wicked triumph, And have conquered by their brutality of hand, Through the power of faith “They are defeated,” By the seed of goodness in man. FREEDOM In their new uniforms, The young march off Not knowing who shall return. With a proud devotion, They brandish their flag Leaving loved ones to wonder and yearn. May we all be buried By all of our children Is an ancient tribal prayer. They’re so easy to lose But so hard to forget; Such a burden for a parent to bear. Oh, the taste of victory Shall soon be forgotten; But, never that which was lost. For those rows of white headstones In peaceful green fields, Make it easy to tally the cost. America has survived all attempts to destroy Knowing the cruelty of war, And, we who remain Must help keep her free For those who can march no more! TEARS Tears are the raindrops of the soul And there’s one for all who die. They are the silent words of grief As they fall free from the eye. The shortest verse in the Bible Is the one where Jesus wept; So, if you hold back tears, "shed them" When your pains too harsh to accept. Tears are lovelier than a smile When they come from those you love. As they seek relief from sadness, When you’re summoned from above. Tears are a love-mates humble gift When it’s time to say goodbye, Though the eyes are wet and swollen, With time and patience they dry. OUR FLAG Our flag is fabric wove of thread, Carried by heroes live and dead. She stands for justice and courage too, With her colors; red, white and blue. For all who serve her, there’ll be cheers, For any who die, there’ll be tears, For all who love her, life is swell, For those who harm her, war is hell. How many moms have cried before, As they sent their children to war. How many dads have not returned, Because our freedom must be earned. Wars were waged where brave men died As patriots fought side by side. Our flag is still the pearl of earth, Because of those who prove her worth. FORMIDABLE FOE America is the birthday cake of earth, As the ants march from every direction. Thank God for all who have sworn to defend her, Serving with love, honor, pride, and affection. Since the first day George Washington marched off to war, There have been those who have wished our demise. Their hatred, fueled by jealousy and greed, Was defeated by our brave and the wise. Once again, we must face a formidable foe, Who have pledged by their God to destroy us all Misusing their faith as an excuse to kill, As for a worldwide jihad, their leaders call. Some say we should try to appease them, For if we resist, they’ll hate us even more. But the David’s among us shall cast our stones, Defeating them, as it was done before. SOMETIMES I’m a soldier, who fights on foreign soil, Some say, we’re here, because of oil. But, I’ll do my duty and proudly serve; Knowing death may await me around the curve. Sometimes it’s hard to defend what’s right, Sometimes we’re forced to rise up and fight. Sometimes we survive, while others must die, Sometimes never knowing the reason why. The rush of combat is a natural buzz, Caused by fear, leaving nothing as it was. Hunting one another like wild game, Without a shortage of those to blame. Sometimes victory comes to slow or quick Sometimes the cost on both sides is sick. Sometimes God is asked to intervene, To help stop the savage from being so mean. War is a hell we visit before death Fueled by the whisper of the devil’s breath. There must be a reason man destroys man, But why it is so, I can’t understand. SHOULD TOMORROW START WITHOUT ME Should tomorrow start without me Remember I love you. Looking down from up above Seeing everything you do. If I become a casualty I pray you will love again Whom ever makes you happy I’ll consider my friend. Should tomorrow start without me Remind our boys, God loves all who care. And when life seems too harsh and cruel With “Him” they must share their prayer. I have proven I’m not a coward Who breaks and runs to survive. Always fearing death will kiss me As the streets of Baghdad I drive. Should tomorrow start without me Be proud I choose to serve. Our faith and our patriotism Earn the freedom we deserve. I miss home more than ever It breaks my heart to stay away I can’t help but want to hold you And whisper what I say. THE LONELINESS OF WAR I know I’m still here so far, far away, As I fight for what I believe is right. I wonder about you and your mom, Every moment of every day and night. The loneliness of war can drive you insane, If you don’t get letters of concern from home. Left, right, behind and ahead, Death awaits leaving love ones alone. We pray to God that we will be saved To return home or live the here after. Bloody, dirt-covered men, we see everyday, As we yearn for those times of laughter. The far off stare of a fallen comrade, As you stay by his side till his end. No mother ever carried her infant child, More carefully, than we do a friend. Many have their own personal diaries, To help keep their faculties together. Watching hot steel crash into human flesh, Always make home seem far away and better. I’ve become an expert at dodging, weaving and diving, So try not to worry too much about me. Just help your mom and stand up from the ground, And while I’m gone be all you can be. Love Dad By Tom Zart |
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| © Copyright 2007 Tom Zart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
An Old Soldier's Prayer Oh God, make this old man young again. Strengthen these legs and arms. Make my hands strong and my fingers ready for war. Place wisdom in my mind and your angels at my side… Guide me to that field for battle as a witness, to those against you. This act of hate so evil, and so brutal. Place your hook into their nostrils; pull them onto that killing field: Confuse their minds to see not, and ears to heed not their own destruction. Send them to their master, the liar, the murderer, and the robber of life everlasting… Oh Father, forgive us all, this want for war. ~JL .................................................... Thank you Tom for this enlightening and compelling write. God Bless and His Peace I pray for all of our military in harms way. .................................................... JL  Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. ~Jesus Christ |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
 outstanding |
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Tom Zart Senior Member
since 2006-05-18
Posts 682 |
Thank you both for your kindness and reply. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Tom Zart My heart rumbles and my mind tumbles My wet sleeve drips with what you believe For it's chaos that's the weave of the floss However the change and rearange. Enjoyed |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Nice writing of your experiences... Today it seems so clear that a few well chosen men could have finished off Saddam, and bin Laden... Today it seems so clear, that if the Iraqi's are not willing to step up and defend their Country, they will have no Country. Today you have fools such as Senator McCain saying that we should send 20,000 more American soldiers... I say train 20,000 more Iraqi's to defend their Country... and let them start by assuming the control of Baghdad...James |
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Tom Zart Senior Member
since 2006-05-18
Posts 682 |
It thank all of my fellow poets and others for your time and replys thanks again Tom Zart |
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trutodaraiders Senior Member
since 2006-12-02
Posts 820CA |
Tom please do keep posting. It's nice to be able to sit in 1 place and read and not have to google everything. You just have to remember your in the midst of some great writers here. (: |
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Devious Intellectual Member
since 2006-05-08
Posts 112 |
i liked this, i wrote some similar stuff but never been there so im sure i dont know what it is truly like, this was nice to read tho especially getting a real point of view, loved the first oneeeeeee the most |
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morbid Junior Member
since 2007-01-05
Posts 22Arkansas USA |
See this really hit's me I've spent well over 18 months in Baghdad at then Camp Cooke/Taji and I spent 6 month's in Kuwait Camp Arifjan so yea I like this. |
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Tom Zart Senior Member
since 2006-05-18
Posts 682 |
Thank you all for your kind words of support. |
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Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
Tom, this is the first piece of your work I have read... very impressive writing here.. well done my poet friend! RDB |
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