*To all those tiny waifs faces upturned1
their eyes so new to absence, moist with tears2
girls holding tight with trembling lips3
young lads who clung with earnest grips 4
upon their Daddies legs refusing to let go5
then wailing with dismay at his goodbyes6
throughout the centuries war has been a blight7
their crying caught in check when his voice spoke8
to promise them that he would be back soon 9
he turned and walked away to fight a war10
and vanished in the smoke and flames unleashed11
I speak for precious children left behind12
his promise lives, someday you'll be rejoined13
beyond the dust of graves...and Dads denied.14
To all the Moms, and Dads who gave much more15
then any cause should ask of them to give16
this boy they nurtured, smiling as he grew17
then frowning as the war drums banged their toll18
their dreams for sons did not include a trip19
to battle zones, to risk both life, and limb20
but patriots they touched his uniform21
they kissed his cheek, and hugged him one more time22
then sent him whole, and healthy off to fight23
but got back telegrams...and body bags24
some shiny medals, and some folded flags25
plus monstrous gaping holes left in their souls26
wherein echoed the words of his farewell,27
"Don't worry Mom and Dad, I'll see you soon."28
and in a sense his words they still ring true29
for when his parent's hearts they cease to ache30
they'll find him standing tall at heavens gate31
awaiting their return, so patiently32
he'll welcome them at last, forever home.33
To all those wives who watched their vows dissolve34
much earlier then they could ever fathom35
by shrapnel, bullets, bayonets, and swords36
"Death did them part..." upon some foreign shore37
each marriage formed ironic parallels38
Your husbands "marched down aisles"...then off to war39
know that your husbands left for "Honor" too40
they "Cherished" their homeland, both "rich and poor"41
in "Sickness, and in health" sworn to defend42
"For better, or for worse" they stood their ground.43
"United as one" each platoon advanced44
on bended knees they fell for sacred vows45
and know that in their final, ragged breath46
they whispered your names with great reverence47
your last kiss lingered sweetly on their lips48
your memories cradled them to paradise49
where someday God again will join your hands50
renewing love that "NONE" will put asunder51
and "Thank You" for your greatest sacrifice.52
To all brave men who fought ...these words salute53
Brothers-in-arms who stood answering the call54
who lost their friends to crippling, sudden blasts55
or choked on nerve, or blood, or mustard gas56
as well as victims crushed by Agent Orange57
the years "Still" stake their claim, the death tolls rise58
to those who lost their limbs, and normal lives59
or fell to drugs, disease, or suicides60
to all who faced the British musket balls61
and those who fought for union in our land62
and those who sat entrenched against the Huns63
or belly crawled through sands at Normandy64
or scaled the lava crusts of Iwo Jima65
or shivered in the Chosin Reservoir66
or night patrolled jungles in Vietnam67
or faced the toxic winds of Desert storm68
or fell in flames on mountains of Afghan69
or took the bullet's puncture in Iraq70
each year we send more and they don't come back71
this poem's for you, your brothers gather yearly72
to guarantee you'll never be forgotten73
and when at last they "Fall out" from this life74
they'll join your ranks, "At Ease" on heaven's shores75
in glory, honored, peace at long last granted76
free from the pains of war forevermore.77
To all prisoners of war...and M.I.A.'s78
I offer you these humble words, and song79
our hopes for your return...they slip away80
for you've remained in limbo far too long81
unknown the place you fell, but still we care82
you haunt our thoughts, this is our solemn prayer83
"As long as there are men who have a voice84
recovery teams will search, it is our choice85
as veterans we always must demand86
a true accounting brought for every man87
return the fallen, here to their homeland88
for them anything less......it would be wrong89
I close now with my old familiar song...90
the lyrics that I wrote to sing with..(Taps)91
" Rest in Peace....Brave young men92
free from sorrow, and pain....battle spent93
from your humble graves, so alone94
We shall come....and we'll carry you....Home."95
~~~~~~~~~Artis-_U.S.Marines~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~96
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
-
Wow, where to begin on this epic, beautiful piece. As a soldier currently serving, this struck me in more ways that I can count. But also as a grandson of a WWII Navy Vet, who didn't die but still served, it stuck me even deeper. You covered everything, some people would read this and think, at least in the beginning, this is another piece about Iraq, but you cover every war, every fallen service member in the history of this great country.
I hope you wont mind, but I would like to print this out and post it on my wall, giving full credits to you of course. This is the kind of stuff I hope to someday be good enough to write. You sir, are a master of then written word. I'd like to thank you personally for your service and tell you that no one is forgotten in the Military. Every day on AFN I see tons of commercials made just to remind of us of what we have lost, and to never forget who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
You are an amazing artist. -
I'm in allegiance to this call. I married an Army man whose tangents were worthy of explanation. Where is that where they go?
God bless you and I HATE that might sound trite. Coming from a child of His calling and it is to HIM I will revere this divine call. I applaud you as you were, are, and will be! Thank you so much!
-
artis this tis such a powerful and sad piece... i have a friend in afghanistan atm and several other soldiers... i worry about them every day,
hugs,
georgie,
xxx -
Loving it!
I Know those words all too well. I haven't lost any one I knew to war, but I know a sacrifice. I had a cousin die in Vietnam and two family members die in Andersonville Prison during the Civil War and I have another cousin off in Iraq and a friend, a marine, who gave his eye and some of his leg in Nam.. I know the words so well. "For who so ever lay down his life for his brother, he shall recieve celestrial glory in the kingdom of heaven". I do not know the placement, but I always remembered it well. *Stands Straight and Salutes* Semper Fi to the Marines. I've known more then any other Corp. -
Wonderful masterpiece of a write.
Artis I wish that I had another applause left to salute this because of all that I have seen you write this is the best so far and I am glad that you won the gold. Very glad because I hate to see someone win it that has put down the American soldier. This one I will bookmark and save for my ninty year old friend that went through World War II. Congratulations on this one and it is right up there with Jefferson and Washington. -
I agree with the above critique.. I agree with your stance on war and I love the way in which you present your poem... The form kind of draws parallells with the order and uniformity of the military which is a mask for the chaotic reality of war and the military.. much like your poem... I have only one criticism, which extends to the majority of the poems I have read regarding war, which is that they only ever focus on the men who fight on the front lines. There are very VERY few poems about the bravery and courage of women, both in the past, and in the present day where they do much the same as men in regards to war nowadays. Should we not credit them too? Also, with regards to the above comment regarding the responsibility of the soldiers: they chose to join the military, just because they are subserviant to an authority doesnt necessarily mean they negate all responsibility. Anyway, i appear to be rambling. Lovely poem. Well done x
-
Wow this is simply an amazing poem. It was extremely deep and definitely written well. You are obviously an incredibly talented poet and individual. This piece just made me stop and rethink some things. I'm definitely glad I happened upon this poem although it definitely made me cry. Anyway what I've been trying to say and probably have succeeded in saying at the beginning is this piece was a great write.
-
beautiful!!!!! wonderful description!!!!!!!! great parralells! I loved "To all those wives who watched their vows dissolve
much earlier then they could ever fathom
by shrapnel, bullets, bayonets, and swords
"Death did them part..." upon some foreign shore
each marriage formed ironic parallels
Your husbands "marched down aisles"...then off to war
know that your husbands left for "Honor" too
they "Cherished" their homeland, both "rich and poor"
in "Sickness, and in health" sworn to defend
"For better, or for worse" they stood their ground"...
wow...so true and a wonderful word choice really brings that out!!!!! woderful! you tell it how it is!!!!!!! keep it up!!!!!!
Gem~chan -
Audience Left Speechless
War takes lifes, hope and sometimes the future of the country and its people. This is a deep poem, very well written, describing the loses of others. I love this piece, it almost made my cry. I'm glad that I've read this.
-Maria- -
At one level, this is a damning indictment of war. Many lives, hopes, and dreams are prematurely brought to an end for few acres of land or for access to gas and petrol. The juxtaposition of the reality of war with the wedding vows is a stroke of pure genius. The last stanzas seem to adulate the heroic deeds of the soldiers etc. Of course, the soldiers are simply doing their duty and are not responsible for the actions of their political masters. But,I felt that the first three stanzas by themselves would have made an eloquent statement against War. Overall, a write that touches the core of the heart.
Krishna -
what a deep deep poem! i REALY love that picture. it all ties in well with the poem. this was a great poem, i'm very fortunate to have stumbled upon it in the featured box!
-
Hi Artis,
Each month I go to the VA for checkups and treatment and am surrounded by thousands of brothers and sisters who have made so much more sacrifice then myself. Thee are times I don't even feel worthy to be in their presence. God bless all our vets and their families. Keep up the good work! I love and respect all veterans. Yours in poetry, po3m wr1t3r -
For the first time in my life I am speechless, at this moving tribute to all the vets, families of our brave soldiers,and artists like you, who pay homage to their memories, in such a resplendant manner. Thank you, Artis, for sharing this most wonderful poem with all who will be lucky enough to read this.
Linda
-
This is sure to touch the heart of every parent that reads it artis. But then again, I guess every young man and woman who has ever gone to battle should be looked upon as ours because it's for all of us that they do what they do.
♥ Kimberly -
I cried. My son is sixteen in three weeks...
-
Very inspirational. This reminds one that it is not all glory. There are losers in every victory. We should not forget those that are injured beyond the physical, just because the war is unpopular. Thank you for sharing.
-
"Semper Fi!" and Godspeed to you on your journey with the leathernecks. watch your back and get home soon....on both feet with two arms to hug your girl and mom, and a hand to shake your dads....Artis
Adding your comment:
1 - 17 of 17
