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hero - the war unseen -

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** For all our vets and those serving, whose battles often never end. **

soldier ... I know I'll never understand how maimed you are inside ... so many wounds aren't visible their scars, you've had to hide I know your mind is tortured and your body less than whole your limbs and functions mangled midst dark moods you can't control your thoughts are often broken horrid nightmares when you sleep deep anxiety that cripples you … with fears that blackouts reap the images you can't discard burned deep by battle's ember horrific truths of wartime crimes that no soul should remember emotions so befuddling that fill your blood with rage you dream a new life's story ... but can't seem to turn the page I'll never know your demons the dark terrors of their hell … but I’ve a few I fight myself and I know their tactics well this war they wage inside you has a battleground, unknown ... but I'm here to tell you, soldier - you don't have to fight alone you gave your mind and body just to see MY freedoms through … so no matter where your battle is you're a hero, through-and-through ... and I'll be proud to fight … with YOU. * SECOND PLACE in the "Hero" Poetry Contest, Silent One, Sponsor. *

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Winged Warrior

Date: 12/9/2017 9:15:00 PM

Congrats!!! my friend...a well-deserved placement...god bless and happy holidays...hope your mother & father are a little better Greg...I know they are ill...my mom passed on Oct.24.2017...my dad is still around, he's 82...stay strong my friend...^WW^

Winged Warrior
Date: 12/10/2017 4:22:00 AM

I'm glad to hear that Greg...91 yrs old...wow!...combined, that makes 182 yrs lol...I hope you are very young my friend...blessings to all your family...^WW^

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/9/2017 11:27:00 PM

My folks are both 91! (Born four days apart).

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/9/2017 11:26:00 PM

I am SO sorry about your mom, W2, those are holes in our hearts that never fill, but I pray you find peace in time. My folks are both doing better - my dad came out to eat with us on Thanksgiving, and we never dreamed that would happen ... something for which to be truly thankful. Blessings to you, my friend! :-)

Melissa Tracy

Date: 12/2/2017 10:04:00 AM

What a beautiful tribute and well deserved win! Congrats!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/2/2017 6:18:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Melissa - that's very kind of you! :-)

Eve Roper

Date: 11/28/2017 3:35:00 PM

wonderful write about our soldiers out there putting their lives out on the line for us. Fantastic write, Gregory, ... congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve ~`*

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/29/2017 5:38:00 PM

I thank you so very kindly, Eve, and I'm so pleased that there are some here like you who appreciate all our service people sacrifice for us. Blessings, Dear Friend! :-) <3

Probir Gupta

Date: 11/28/2017 11:34:00 AM

A great poem indeed ... Congratulations on your win ...

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/29/2017 5:37:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Probir, your opinion is important to me, friend! Blessings! :-)

Judith S

Date: 11/28/2017 11:18:00 AM

Back to wish you congratulations on your win in the contest! Such a well deserving recognition of an amazing poem! Best, Judy

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/29/2017 5:36:00 PM

So very kind of you, Judy, and I thank you very much for the wonderful comments! Blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Joseph May

Date: 11/28/2017 10:45:00 AM

Their wars never end...Great write ...Congrats on your win

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/29/2017 5:35:00 PM

They certainly don't, Joseph, and I doubt that they ever will, sadly. I pray for a world where it is no longer a word used, except in relation to history, but I doubt I will see it. Blessings!

Silent One

Date: 11/28/2017 9:17:00 AM

You describe the emotions of a soldier very well.. Another great poem from your pen.. Congratulations on your placement in the contest..

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/29/2017 5:34:00 PM

Thank you so much - I am honored and humbled to be on a list with such great poets as these!

Judith S

Date: 11/21/2017 4:09:00 PM

A sad and tragic truth that you write of. The scars ... the sacrifice ... the lives ... thank you for bringing this forefront Greg! A very painful and emotional topic beautifully portrayed. Best of luck in the contest!!! ~Judy

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/23/2017 2:45:00 AM

That's very sweet of you, Judy, and I thank you so very much - I think it's something we don't talk about enough, so if I can bring a bit more attention to it with my little poem, then it will have been worth the write. Blessings, my friend - I'm so pleased you liked it! :-) <3

Winged Warrior

Date: 11/20/2017 9:22:00 PM

God bless all Soldiers who have to witness real hell on earth...and god bless your write, my friend...your words bring to light of their pains...best of luck...^WW^

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/21/2017 4:01:00 AM

Thanks so very much, my friend, I so greatly appreciate that ... these are the pieces that are so very important to me, and I pray they can make a difference, even if it's just in ONE life. Blessings, WW.

John Hamilton

Date: 11/20/2017 11:07:00 AM

Terrific write Greg, the mind is a complicated place, you're right images seen sometimes stay forever and play over and over again, interrupting normal thought, it must be torture.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/21/2017 3:57:00 AM

Indeed, my friend ... well-said. Thanks so much for reading and commenting on this one, John, it means a lot to me, and is a subject dear to my heart. The battles never end for many of our vets, and the least we can do is stand up for them, as they have stood up for us. Blessings!

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 11/20/2017 8:27:00 AM

A stellar sensitive and important write Greg. Wonderfully done, impacting my friend. My best to you in the contest! much love mo

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/21/2017 3:51:00 AM

Very kind of you, Mo, and I thank you so much ... I think even we "little people" can change the world, one little step-at-a-time, as long as we're thoughtful about it. Blessings, friend! :-) <3

Joanna Daniel

Date: 11/20/2017 6:36:00 AM

Excellent, Greg, you have written about something that never gets talked about much...a winner for me:) the sad thing is people think that a person with mental illness can't be normal at all...

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/21/2017 3:47:00 AM

Indeed, Jo, you are correct ... so much misunderstanding when it comes to mental illness, substance abuse, PTSD, etc., but I think the more we write about it the more we can shed some light on it, and hopefully bring more attention and positive change. So pleased you liked my poem - blessings! :-)