My Hero

I hear them say,
                                                           
a hero has courage and is admired.
       
Hero only has four powerful little letters,
     
I wonder who would fit that strong picture.
             
A man who left the home~family~to fight a war,
             
who went cold and hungry.
                                           
From towns and villages he and his men went,
             
trying to help humans in another land.
                         
Their days turned into many long months,
                     
then cold winds and snow set in everywhere.
                 
Some nights the farmers kept him and his men warm,
     
they were put in their barn with their animals.
               
Everyday came with hunger,
                                         
but there was no food to eat.
                                         
Sometimes the farmers would give them a cup of hot soup,
             
they shared what little they had.
                                   
After many months of seeing death at his door step, 
     
he and his men could finally come back home. 
               
Now thinner and wiser,
                                                 
he needed to find a job for his family.
                             
At first I said,
                                                               
my dad was my hero~he is.
                                           
Then I looked at the farmers from the many towns~villages,
           
they kept my dad alive for many long months.
             
Can there be more than one hero to a story,
                   
I most definitely think so and this was the proof.
 
Date Written: 7/18/2022
Note: True Story
7/24/2022 "Poem of the Week" Winner
~ And ~
2 Place
To Honor My Hero Contest
Sponsored by: Anoucheka Gangabissoon
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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12
Tor Avatar
September 6, 2022 at 6:10 AM
Heartfelt and wonderful to read Paula, so sorry I missed this from you. Glad I read it. God Bless you and Congratulations...Your dad and the farmers are all Great men...
Goldsmith Avatar
August 11, 2024 at 7:48 AM
I just found your comment. So sorry I missed it. Thank You, for reading/writing and for your Congratulations. Glad you like "My Hero" write. Yes, they were all great men. Have a great/blessed day writing away................
Awtry Avatar
August 24, 2022 at 5:59 PM
Paula this is a very special poem. Thank you for sharing it here with us :) ps
Goldsmith Avatar
August 26, 2022 at 11:47 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Glad you like "My Hero" write. Good to see you here. Have a great/blessed weekend writing away................
Alex Avatar
August 20, 2022 at 6:11 AM
One more writing on dad from you. Indeed, beautiful. Congratulations!
Goldsmith Avatar
August 20, 2022 at 2:57 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win and then a second win. Glad you like this write. Good to see you. Have a great/blessed weekend as you write away................
George Avatar
August 18, 2022 at 7:29 PM
Sorry, I missed seeing this poem as POTD. You are absolutely right, Paula ! We cannot confine heroism to one single person. There are many who are to be deemed as heroes, if we study some lives intently ! You have depicted the moving life of your dad who sacrificed many of his personal comforts and served his country and its people. The farmers who kept him alive, they too deserve to be called heroes. A beautiful poem. Congratulations on your win.
Goldsmith Avatar
August 20, 2022 at 2:53 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations on both wins. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." It is great to see "My Hero" win again. Glad you like this write. Good to see you. I know dad would have wanted me to add the farmers that helped them. Without the farmers he/his men would Not have made it. He passed years ago. Have a great/blessed weekend as you write away................
Rose  Avatar
August 18, 2022 at 5:01 PM
There can be more than one hero in our life story Paula, and you have the keen heart to recognize them all, including your amazing dad. This is a wonderful honor to your dad and all the men who kept him alive, Congrats on your win Paula, much love, V xo
Goldsmith Avatar
August 20, 2022 at 2:47 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations on both wins. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." It is great to see "My Hero" win again. Glad you like "My Hero" write. Good to see you here. I know my dad would have wanted me to add the many farmers that helped them. Without the farmers he and his men would Not have made it. He passed many years ago. Have a great/blessed weekend as you write away................
Kauffman Avatar
August 18, 2022 at 10:40 AM
Wonderfully written Paula. This heartfelt poem shines with love for your dad BUT also lifts up those who sheltered and fed he and his men during a time of chaotic war. These are truly stories of courage that lift us up and show a path for ourselves. So sorry I missed seeing this as a POTW. Congratulations for your win and your POTW honor! Blessings my friend.
Goldsmith Avatar
August 18, 2022 at 11:27 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations on both wins. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." It is great to see this win again. Glad you like my Hero write. Good to see you here. Have a great/blessed day as you write away................
Anaya Avatar
August 6, 2022 at 10:18 AM
These men and women in wartime endure extreme hardship. Their heroism and grit deserve our eternal gratitude. Congratulations on your POTW Paula! Your father's story represents all who sacrificed themselves for our freedom. Thank you for sharing. ~Anaya
Goldsmith Avatar
August 7, 2022 at 12:24 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." These men/women have sacrificed themselves for our freedom. They should be blessed. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Kavanagh  Avatar
July 31, 2022 at 4:16 AM
Heya Paula I also believe there can be many heroes in one story, but they wouldn’t want to called so, or even recognised as one, Hero! really is such a difficult word to define, but we all seem to know them intrinsically, I’m delighted this poem received POTW honours, cheers David
Goldsmith Avatar
July 31, 2022 at 12:14 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." I wrote this with tears and much thought. Most stories have only one Hero. I feel this story needed to have the farmers added. After all many men would have died if not for the farmers. Today, there are many heroes out there. Have a very blessed day/week as you write away................
Seeker Avatar
July 28, 2022 at 12:45 AM
Thanks for sharing, Paula, so beautifully narrated, congrats on POTW!
Goldsmith Avatar
July 29, 2022 at 9:27 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Glad you enjoyed this true story/write. I had tears as I was writing it. I cried when I got POTW. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Edmonds  Avatar
July 27, 2022 at 10:29 PM
Paula, congratulations on poem of the week with this wonderful true story. Your dad was a hero looked after by heroes, saviours of the world indeed. Well done… Blessings, Belle
Goldsmith Avatar
July 29, 2022 at 9:25 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Glad you enjoyed this story/write. I had tears writing it. I cried when I got POTW. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Calasibetta Avatar
July 27, 2022 at 7:51 AM
Congratulations on your POTW! A powerful and moving story~a story that resonates with many. I know of a family, whose dad was in occupied France, running from the Nazi's, helped my a French farmer. He survived and returned home to become a successful business man and helped support the French families children until the day he died. Thank you for reminding us.... Blessings, Paulette
Goldsmith Avatar
July 27, 2022 at 12:39 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Glad you enjoyed My Hero write. Many farmers in Germany/France and other countries were heroes during that time and kept them alive with food and their barns. They were there for a very long time. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Marcum Wong Avatar
July 26, 2022 at 1:45 AM
I agree with you Paula. A farmer’s daughter hid my step-dad when he narrowly escaped a prison camp in Germany where they were starving. Both his friends that escaped with him were shot and killed. That family risked their lives to save him. I really relate to your tribute to your father and the farmers who helped. A Fave for me! Congratulations on having this wonderful poem honored with POTW! Blessings xxoo
Goldsmith Avatar
July 26, 2022 at 12:30 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Do I see Fave??? "Thanks" You made my day. Glad you enjoyed this write. Many farmers were heroes during that time and saved many lives. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Roper Avatar
July 25, 2022 at 10:37 AM
Yes, there can be more than one hero.. But your dad a big hero.. Great write, Paula.. Congratulations on POTW, Many blessings
Goldsmith Avatar
July 25, 2022 at 11:59 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Glad you like my write. There are still many heroes today. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Raven Avatar
July 25, 2022 at 5:52 AM
Hi Paula, dropping back with my congratulations on this wonderful work being honoured by Poem Of The Week, it is truly deserved. Have a wonderful Monday. Hugs always ..... Mike. XX
Goldsmith Avatar
July 25, 2022 at 9:23 AM
Great to see you back. Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Glad you enjoyed this write. It was many/ many years ago. There are still many heroes today. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Pandit Avatar
July 25, 2022 at 5:50 AM
BIG congrats on POTW, Paula. Your story resonates--true to life. Enjoy your week.
Goldsmith Avatar
July 25, 2022 at 9:20 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Glad you enjoyed my story/write. It all happened many years ago. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Logan Avatar
July 25, 2022 at 5:21 AM
You have my admiration for having written this poignant rendering of all of those who were heroes in your true account. Congratulations on it being chosen POTW, Paula.
Goldsmith Avatar
July 25, 2022 at 9:17 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Glad you like this one. I had tears writing it. There are many heroes we never know about. These farmers were also some of them. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Nicole Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 5:52 PM
"the farmers kept my dad alive" I am reading this thought and tears linger. Yes, there are many out there that are hero's. Your story is tender and emotional, all at the same time. I'm curling your thoughts softly around my heart. Congratulations Paula, on Poem of the Week. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy
Goldsmith Avatar
July 25, 2022 at 9:12 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Glad you like my write. I had tears writing this. Growing up I heard only parts of the story many times. Have a very blessed day as you write away with hugs................
Goldsmith Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 1:45 PM
Thank You to Poetry Soup and Staff for Your Support. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Thank You for having a Poetry Site for the writers to bring out their creativity. Have a very blessed day and week ahead............................
Lawrence Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 8:03 AM
Paula, Wow - just beautiful, so emotional . What a wonderful tribute to your father and those farmers that help keep him and his men alive . Very special. Congratulations on POTW! Hugs. Susan :)
Goldsmith Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 12:46 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Glad you like this write. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Baker Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 7:28 AM
Back to say Congratulations on your POTW! my friend. wonderful poem and poetess. Enjoy your honor this blessed week! Hugs, Bill
Goldsmith Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 12:44 PM
Glad to see you back. Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." So glad you enjoyed this Hero write. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Foster Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 6:54 AM
Wonderful... beautiful... lovely... excellent... Ann
Goldsmith Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 12:43 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." So glad you enjoyed this one. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Skelly Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 6:44 AM
Well done Paula...Delice
Goldsmith Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 12:42 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." So glad you enjoyed this write. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Kitchin Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 5:23 AM
Paula, a well done tribute poem, congratulations on POTW!
Goldsmith Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 12:41 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Glad you enjoyed my tribute write. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Hankins Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 5:15 AM
Well-deserved, Paula. Heartiest congratulations on your P.O.T.W.!
Goldsmith Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 12:39 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Glad you enjoyed my tribute. We never know when we can help someone. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
Cunningham Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 1:16 AM
It's heartwarming to know there are many unsung heroes amongst us Paula. A lovely tribute to your father and those who helped him. Congratulations on POTW, enjoy the honour and have a great day. Tom
Cunningham Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 1:34 PM
Hi Paula, I've soupmailed you. Tom
Goldsmith Avatar
July 24, 2022 at 12:39 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this POTW win. I am truly "Thankful" to those who chose "My Hero." Glad you enjoyed my tribute. We never know when we can help someone. How are you??? I wanted to write to you but you have it turned off. Have a very blessed day as you write away................
12
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