Best Fought Poems
Soldier stashed a silver locket
Safe inside his jacket pocket
When the war would numb his senses
He’d break down and drop pretenses
Open up the only token
That recalled those thoughts unspoken
Images of infant, young wife
For their freedom, he’d give his life
“When creativeness steals my mind~
from all else, I'm trapped and blind.”
__by Poet
Another poem I must write
so little time to get it right.
A brand new contest beckons me-
awakens my poetic sight.
Must set aside the chores I see
to meet the call of what's to be.
For when I'm captured, I must do
whatever helps to set me free.
From mind to heart, words will accrue
creative visions that are true;
address the theme with the rules sought
to write a poem, fresh and new.
And so begins this battle fought
for in this web, my being's caught
to end the challenge with deep sighs-
till captured once again in thought.
at the end of the day
what would i have told future generations
at the end of the day?
would i have told future generations
that i fought the good fight?
would i have told future generations that i stood up for what is right?
what would i have told them?
that i stood up against tyranny and evil
what would i tell leon trotsky
if i see him on that white horse
what would i tell him
if i saw him at the pearly gates
would i tell him that i fought the good fight?
i don't know what i'd tell him
i'd tell him i was scared
i'd tell him i was scared
i'd tell him i was brave
i'd tell him i was noble
i'd tell him i was slave
i'd tell him i was kind
i'd tell him i was strong
i'd tell him i was meek
i'd tell him happy
i'd tell him i was sad
i'd tell him i was joyful
i'd tell him i was mad
i'd tell him i was enlightened
i'd tell him i was ignorant
but i'd tell him that
I fought the good fight.
PLIGHTS FOUGHT TOMORROW KNOWN
WRITTEN FOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY 2016 (Versified!)
As days transpires, better we focus.
As life transgress, better our voice.
A walk, a talk, a political aspect of religion and righteousness.
Via the Founding Fathers we separated church and state.
Socio-political and socio-religious are the floodgates.
As we remember, tears may drop,
Is it the strength we possess that ruminates us?
We overcame our struggles and we are abreast to our accomplishments.
We are the United States of North America.3
Analysis of our external environment let us know
that we are a strong workforce.
That we are no more separated by the color of our skin.
That our unity is our identity of different nations of human beings.
That our mien is our self-image of economy –
the” big picture” of demeanor.
When we falter, we recoup.
We do not assume we will fall from what others do.
We are the people of our regions that are vast and wide.
We are negotiators of our lives.2
As we celebrate today in our mind-sets,
we know what may overwhelm us.
This could be how far we have come.
Or, it could be how far we will continue to go -
to climb the mountains that we must peak -
to deplete human suffering from the illness we perceive.
That is what is known and all the possibilities.
We have witnessed many tragedies from the
time of formation to present day.
But oh, we can find glory just as well in our beliefs,
creeds, and unity.1
Envois is this discourse.
Pro-activism edifice verbalized.
But to no idiom this loll.
We are all part of the same universe.
Each has his or her role to play.
All are formidable when the goal is stated.
May one be easier than the other?
May we strive to be a part of the same country?
Where we are awe-inspiring but together.
That is on the same page.
Where our lives are the similarity, and the same is our home front.
This is right outside our front door.4
The plight is fought and tomorrow is known!5
_____________________________________________________________|
Written January 16, 2016!
“THE GREATEST BATTLE EVER FOUGHT”
A woman dressed in sunlight- standing on the moon
Crowned with gold stars-about to birth a Son soon
Another image alongside her –fiery and fierce
A dragon, seven heads crowned, ten horns to pierce
Flicking its tail, knocking stars from the sky
Dumped them on earth—Creation, plotting to deny
To shepherd all nations the woman birthed her Son
God seized Him to safety-- a throne to be won
The dragon got angry—a huge war broke out
Michael and his Angels fought back without doubt
The dragon and his angels fought with equal effort, brutally
No match for Michael, it was thrown from heaven, ruthlessly
Enemy, serpent, the devil himself---plotted violently
To lead people astray in dubious manner... silently
A strong voice from Heaven with power rang out
The blood of the Lamb will defeat—indisputably bring about
Salvation and power inevitably dawned—it was done
Our Saviour fought, deliverance ours – Victory.... He won
(Inspired by ‘Revelation’--Chapter 12)
Copyright© 2013—Kim van Breda
An old man looking out his door,
gaze fixed on a distant shore,
reminiscing to a time, not of happiness,
or, the prospect of a bright future,
to when he was sick to his very core,
to when as a youth, he went to war
A time before infallibility had meaning,
patriotism and bravado the craze,
the future was still unknown,
vigor for life at its all time high,
a time for romance, partying, buying,
no thought of pain, deformity, dying
Too young to understand or question,
ship to foreign shore, medals abound,
will impress the girls next time in town,
sacrifice not temporary,
forever more,
a legacy etched into a wall, few will remember,
flesh shredded, burned, torn,
families mourn
A time, when he willingly went to war,
will happen no more,
all lost in youth, now unrelenting,
no blind obedience,
minimal risk,
long life, his number one ambition
As he turns back from the door,
he thinks of the youth,
here now, soon no more,
lessons never learned,
the call to war,
to common the roar,
complacency the mood,
another generation removed
The old man agonizes
over what was originally not known,
war is preventable,
life too precious to waste,
the solution simple,
his vision, maybe too late
Send old men to the front to fight,
arthritis, heart disease, poor eyesight,
let the youth enjoy their life,
his near over, its only right
Send old men, to the front, to fight
ask them to give up their life,
patriotism and bravado, still alive,
will and desire would not last the night,
old men do not rush to death in their twilight,
failure inevitable, the old man smiles,
knows he's right
Wars not possible,
if old men, are sent to fight
The Nameless
Slipping through the sieve of history,
the nameless rest.
Not for the nameless are roads renamed, nor monuments built.
Not for the nameless are songs sung, nor ink spilled.
The nameless rest.
Their silent sacrifice,
quiet ordeal,
muted trauma,
remain interred,
amongst their remains.
The nameless rest.
Not for the nameless are doctorates conferred, nor eulogies recited.
Not for the nameless are honours bestowed, nor homages directed.
The nameless rest.
They rest within us,
they walk with us,
in every step that we tread.
They rest within us,
they walk with us,
for their spirit is not dead.
“Your name is unknown, your deed is immortal”
- inscription at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier WWII in Moscow
Special thanks to my dearest elder sister Tasneem Nobandla Moolla, whose conversations with me about life as a non-white person growing up in pre and post-Apartheid South Africa prompted me to write this dedication to the countless, nameless South Africans of every colour, whose sacrifices and dedication in the struggle against Apartheid tyranny must never be forgotten.
My sister’s middle name ‘Nobandla’ which is an isiXhosa name and means “she who is of the people” was given by her godfather, Nelson Mandela, my father’s ‘best-man who could not be, as Nelson Mandela was unable to-make it to my parent’s wedding as he was in jail at the time in the old Johannesburg Fort. This was the 31st December 1961.
Shall I vote or not?
She died for you, have you forgot
Who fought for you so you can say
Shall I vote or not today?
Shall I vote or not?
She fought for you to have the choice
To use your vote, and use your voice
Or stay at home today
Shall I vote or not?
What sister are you who forgets
The suffering of suffragettes
So you can vote today?
Shall I vote or not?
They fought for you, do you forget
The women who don't have it yet
The vote, or yet a say?
Shall I vote or not?
What, woman, are you mad or what
They fought for you, have you forgot
The price they had to pay?
Shall I vote or not?
My sister, listen, hear the sound
Of hooves of thunder on the ground
Lest we forget the day
Shall I vote or not?
They fought for you, have you forgot
Who fought for you so you can say
Shall I vote or not today?
© Gail Foster 6th February 2018
Challenges
are future strides;
without self-confidence
not a thing will be accomplished:
greet dire!
I fought
to the finish
with a heavy heartbeat;
I got there by beating all odds:
proud me!
Our world is in constant conflict, the Islamic State seeks conquest;
every country that loves freedom must face this threat and win.
We have seen the recent carnage in Paris:
bodies covered with blood strewn
everywhere; these threats can lead to a war
that will involve many countries.
We can't delude ourselves that in all nations there always be peace;
keep a vigilant eye and spot who wants to inflict death and harm.
Will this Christmas and Hanaka be celebrated
with the same ardor of the previous years?
Don't ever lose heart: expressing your faith
will strengthen the bond between you and them.
Rome, the heart of Christendom, welcomes people of all races and creeds;
but doesn't impose conversion on others: it's the free will of loving hearts.
If peace is to prevail: a Christian,
a Jew, a Moslem and an Atheist
must live peacefully and greet
one another: how hard can it be?
Constant hatred leads to war and bloodshed: there are no winners or losers;
we all pay the prize with the loss of lives: what if we loved and never fought?
Written on 12/20/2015
The devil is a cunning and deceitful being
He plays on your weakness like a guitar string
He hides around the corner, sees when you come unglue
Then at you he comes smiling, saying, this one’s through
Now listen! Sometimes he gets you and have his way
But sometimes you fight, determined, I won’t sway
Last night he rose up like a lion and stood in my face
I stepped up, shoulders squared, a child of God’s grace
Stand back old Satan, from me get thee hence
I won’t retreat, I won’t surrender, stay on your side of the fence
I call on the Holy Spirit for divine intervention
Arms were stretched wide for a fallen child prevention
Don’t mess with me, old Satan, I have lots of clout
Stick with me, I’ll tell you what it’s all about
You see, Christ died for me and saved me from hell
I am now His redeemed child, my soul I cannot sell
I fought old age with anger
I fought old age with fear
I fought old age with denial
But still old age is here
I fought old age with pills
With decoctions and with wine
I fought old age with prayers and anger
But still old age is mine
The body is slowly wearing
The mind it slips at times
The heart is slowly fading
But for now I am just fine
For everyday I am thankful
for a life that is full and bright
I enjoy each day of living
And no longer need to fight.
Duty Honor Code their duty has always been paid
They fight for our freedom so don’t ever let their memory fade
They battle for the righteous cause and sometimes end up dead
They endure hardships we cannot understand so recognize the blood they’ve shed
They’re the men and women of the military Navy Air force Marines and Army
This Memorial Day give thanks or remember a vet who has fought for our country
They conqueror their fear and go into harms way for people who are oppressed or
are
suffering from neglect
And all they are asking for from us is a little acknowledgement and common decent
respect
They’re the men and women of the military: Navy, Air force , Marines, and Army
This Memorial Day give thanks or remember a vet who has fought for our country
They’re the men and women of the military Navy Air force Marines and Army
This Memorial Day give thanks or remember a vet who has fought for our country
So fly your flags with pride and wear your Red, White, and Blue
But always think to yourself they are out there right now somewhere fighting for me
and you
They give everything that they have just for the sake of freedom’s price
So reflect on what they’ve done for us with there ultimate sacrifice
They’re the men and women of the military Navy Air force Marines and Army
This Memorial Day give thanks or remember a vet who has fought for our country
Maybe it's my fought
That I trusted wind so much
Only to blow away my grains
Maybe it's my fought
That I trusted rain so much
Only to rotten my crops
Maybe it's my fought
Watered withered plant
Thinking they would blossom
Maybe it's my fought
That I fought with destiny
But fate was no merciful
Who fought Alone
Untimely death, why come so near
To taunt my soul with mortal fear.
I cannot go - so unprepared
So full of life and yet so scared.
The world’s held nothing for me but strife
And yet, O lord, I cling to life.
A fatherless boy in a Gorbals slum
Who owes his being to a tot of rum.
The industrial school with its air of blame
The endless fight to remove its shame
And then the slump with its hunger march
That swept its way to Admiralty Arch.
The years of depression without any hope
With nothing to do but sit and mope
The look of misery in the children’s eyes
With nothing to offer but bread and lies.
The relief of war and work at last,
A future for those who had no past.
Must I lose it now, with scarce a taste
Of the honeyed joy in the desert waste.
Must the death knell come as my life began
To a forgotten link in the chain Of Man