Best Soldiered Poems
When living all alone
A house is not a home
Just empty rooms where memories remain.
The one you love has gone
Still you soldiered on
Believing someday you'll meet again.
As time passes by
You look towards the sky
Searching for an answer to your prayer.
Praying the one you love
Is there with God above
Safely in his love and tender care.
So words become; the order of the day
and order of the day becomes
the soldiered meaning of all work and play,
the ever present, beating drums.
Then words become; the lure of the lie
and liars lure every son
with shadows of gold 'til they all but die,
to retire, to be, to be done.
And then, once again; the words become
the order of every day
to sleep, to awake, to be dead and done,
'til all words fly, ever away.
~TH~
The risks to most were far too high
Much too much daily effort needed.
As for the course itself, a death trap
particularly for anyone too inexperienced.
Each fence had to be riden correctly
otherwise the too wide turn catches you out.
Leaving you many yards behind some race on,
The weak pull up their race is done.
The field now halved leaves more room
and some foolhardy people go for the gaps
to find themselves brought down hard
they had over jumped and paid the penalty.
The remaining few were far apart
yet most soldiered on hungering
for the prize, the acclaim and title
Until next year they sit at the top.
Lessons learned
by first the Chinese
then France
and the Unites States...
Never underestimate
unconventional units
or guerrilla warfare
supported by regular units...
Dien Bien Phu
Bernard B. Fall
called it
"Hell in a very small place"
soon after 1954
America walked the "Street without joy"
The Viet Minh
attacking satellite positions
seven in all
such names as
"Huguette"
"Claudine"
"Gabrielle"
"Beatrice"
General Giap
former school teacher
later besieged Khe Sanh
saved only by B-52 air strikes...
What men will die for
makes less sense
as time goes by...
Perhaps it is
the unspoken honor
among comrades
and brothers...
Still they soldiered on
60 years has passed
and around the world
the madness has grown...
~ ~ ~ ~
The Old Redbud Tree
There is a gnarled redbud left standing,
It blossomed pink year after year;
Four fused trunks grew from its base,
Its heart-shaped leaves said “dear.”
A new branch grew from one, making five,
The little tree was oh, so proud of its size,
And for decades it did healthy look,
Until one year one branch snapped and died.
It seemed to cry with its new-found gnarl,
But soldiered on with only four.
Another branch bent its head and broke,
Then fell to its earthly floor.
Now there were three and twisted they,
Its heart-shaped leaves near gone,
The wind blew two from the old redbud tree,
Now one reaches lonely for the sun.
Across The Universe
Life’s tapestry had brought me from the rugged Welsh Coast
to ‘Egoli’ The City Of Gold’ a place of dreams in South Africa
I wished for so much and so little just heal from the weight
of black dogs on my shoulders and a soldiered out mind
Everything in tatters the mosaic torn fragments dishevelled
black batik on the canvas sexy lace far from realistic realm
With the Sun God watching me in rehabilitation from booze
and delusion I painted love in the soil with Jacaranda petals
A purple display of what could not have been foreseen as
some ‘inmate’ before me had dressed up wish’s desperation
Her heart on the lawn in those petals in an innocent message
across and upon the Universe made match and soul’s mate
Colour and passion drew us together a beeline without
knowing what was what who was who just knowing it was
Sharing and caring 'The Little Prince' Leonhard Cohen Bach’s 'Illusion'
'Alice’s Restaurant' drawing like magnets joined desire miracle love
New fires exploding a tsunami of feelings trust intuition and magic
one string with two puppets from heaven we went to the movies
‘Across the Universe’ anti-establishment and melodious Beatles
orchestrated sizzling fingers embraced hands and hearts together
Christmas Day almost a decade ago and still going we eloped
together best friends lovers and no idea of the journey before us
That less trodden path gifted us divine bliss and gave us that most
unconventional Christmas present we longed for so much and so long
23rd December 2016
It was a forties erectile dysfunction scare,
The home had become a war zone,
The warhead was damaged;
The wife was breathing fire,
Auntie Google pointed to Aloe Vera
For remedy with little side effects.
I picked one thorny leaf on the side road,
Squashed it into my water bottle;
Ooops, what a thorny taste,
I soldiered on, I had to be restored;
I kept on sipping.
I was back on track without counting;
Sunrises nor sunsets.
My diamond warhead is back
The wife ululated, what is your secret?
What a wonderful sign!
Now I smear it on my face,
On my arms, upper body,
Soon it will be the whole body;
What a glow,
Got the women staring;
You got a nice fragrance;
One whisphered the night last,
I polish my shoes with it;
Dust sits on them with a grudge.
An ode to Aloe Vera,
The miracle thorny leaf,
Just add water.
Walk in my bedroom,
You see my funny looking water bottle,
Never despise it!
A veteran of World War Two sat by his hearth thinking back on the war.
Through dim and misty eyes he recalled his buddies and the horrible gore.
He wondered why he survived to come home when others forfeited life,
In The Battle of the Bulge where he was a rifleman midst that brutal strife.
He recalled too many nights shivering in his foxhole with freezing feet,
Trying to keep awake guarding his post in the blinding snow and sleet.
From afar could be heard thundering cannon that was aimed his way.
"Lord", he prayed "please let me survive this night to live another day!"
He recalled being scantily clothed - hot coffee and food was very rare.
He damned those in the rear for his plight who didn't seem to care.
On Christmas Day those in the rear dined on turkey with lots to spare.
For Christmas dinner he and his buddies ate C-rations for holiday fare.
His eyes misted when he thought of frozen heroes lying in the snow,
Their grieving next-of-kin - the little kids whose dads they'd never know.
But in the midst of battle he must put all such gruesome thoughts aside,
And not let his brothers down - those brave men who soldiered at his side.
With other old veterans he talked with kids in school lest they forget,
Telling them how much is owed to those who paid that final debt!
He buried his face in gnarled hands that once held the terrible weapons of war,
Weeping unabashedly pleading, "Please God, no more strife forever more!"
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Blank Page
Clean Slate
Untouched
Somewhat
Once Great
Tho Not So Great Enough
Back Again
Here I Am
Here Again
Unfinished
Tinkered
Tailored
Soldiered Too Fit
Sailors Despise
Redundance
Repitition
Without Point
Without Goal
Without Role
Without Cause
Without Baseline
Without Ship
We All Crash
We All Drown
Why Am I Here
Why Do I Seek Ground
What Is Rich
What Is Poor
Why Does A Begging Man Thieve
Why Does A Thieving Man Beg
Does He
Does He Not
Why Is Happyness Not
Why Is Happyness Sought
I'm Just A Ship On An Ocean
Soldiering On
I'm Just A Sailor Adrift
I'm Just A Beggar Of Current
Richly Alive
Poorly Entwined
Richly Blessed
Poorly Denied & Damned
Fated Too Thieve
Fated Too Conspire
Ride The Waves
Too Navigate
Keep Sailing
Soldiering On
TInker Tailor
Soldier Spy
Richly Poor
Poorly Rich
Begging For Today
Thieving Towards Tommorrow
Leaning Towards Gallows
Scheming Towards Shallows
Solid Soil
Hallowed Ground
Where My Feet Rest Steady
Where My Breath Breathes Selfishly
Unswayed
Alone
Away From
Yet Amongst
The Tinkered With
The Tailored Too
Rich Man Poor Man
Pursuit
I'm Beggan Man
Please Untie This Noose
Bring Me Up
String Me Up
Set Me Free
Drowned Me Under
One Or The Other
One Or The Other
I'm A Soldier
I'm A Sailor
Ima Keep Soldiering On
Ima Keep Sailing
Thieving These Days
Thieving These Nights
Breathing And Drowning
Drowning And Breathing
Untill My Lungs Grow Gills
Untill My Souls 8 Timesed 10
I'm Gonna Walk
I'm Gonna Swim
I'm Gonna Tinker With My Tailor
I'm Gonna Soldier With My Spy
I'm Gonna Be A Rich Man
I'm Gonna Be A Poor Man
I'm Gonna Be A Beggar & A Thief
I'm Gonna Forever & Always
One Way Or Another
Always Be A Sailor
Navigating The Stars
Ill Find You Wherever You Are
Forever & Always
From Here To Botswan
My brave grandfather fought in the trenches
there he saw things that no man should see
With blood of his comrades he drenches
so exhausted, yet he dodged bullets every day
and bravely soldiered on so that we could be free
Ultimately with his own life he sadly had to pay
His St Christopher medallion he wore with pride
It was discovered amongst all the wartime debris
and was returned to grandmother after he died
I wear his medallion since it’s been passed down to me
FICTIONAL POEM
Rhyme Time 4- 10 Lines Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Laura Loo
6/25/18
Prentice Haines was the son of wealth,
the youngest of a brood of nine.
At sixteen he fled from Boston town
for the rugged life of western climes,
trapping fur took up his time.
Before a year passed he’d married a squaw,
his wife in fact, if not in law.
A daughter came quick, he named her Nell,
Bbt fate followed with darkness in store.
His wife Feathered Dove died of a fever
a year after sweet Nell was born,
but Prent had little time to mourn.
His daughter knew not that her ma was gone,
so Prent lived for her, Prent soldiered on.
Three years passed swiftly, one sunny noon
Pent and Nell walked into Sally’s case.
She gave them a smile, she always did,
then with sweet Nell did she play.
Sally was always in a happy way.
For four years since her husband died
she’d been running this place and getting by.
While Nell ran about, Prent said to Sal:
“I’m thinking of heading back east.
Time to think about schooling for Nell,
someone who womanly manners can teach.
And I suppose a new wife I should seek.”
Sally, she smiled, teeth white as pearls,
Aad said,”Not just in Boston can you find a girl.”
But Prent didn’t hear her, so lost in his mind,
Saying,”Yep, I think she will need a good school.
Being a half-breed will be troublesome enough,
can’t let her grow up just another fool.
Can’t fall short by my little jewel.
But Sally take my thanks, before I go,
for watching over her, while I trapped in the snow.”
She smiled sadly at that, then she explained:
“Watching Nelly was truly a pleasure.
She’s a wonderful girl, and I see clearly
why her father calls her his treasure.”
She bade them both good-bye forever.
At the station next day, early came
the long, hissing snake that was their train.
Across half the continent they went,
sweet Nell’s face glued to the window,
seeing prairie, farm, hills, and town
Aa along the tracks they’d go.
For Nell it really was quite a show.
And finally, the chugging train pulled on in,
blowing its great whistle at Boston’s station.
Prent knocked on the door to his parent’s house,
waiting until he heard some footsteps.
The door swung open, revealing the maid
so shocked that she looked pale as death.
She called out the name ‘Annabeth.’
A minute went by and his sister appeared,
oldest of the Haines children in years...
CONTINUES IN PART II.
May sunshine and scattered showers
Countdown days and sleepless hours
Village maidens creep from their bowers
Meet amongst the meadow flowers
In a circle they skip and dance
Whilst chanting their love one's name
Enticing as moths to a flame
Each to another and all the same
Jethro, Saul, Piers and Lance.
As storm clouds darkened the blue sky
Each maiden emitted a sigh
Happily with vocals on high
hurried home, to wait bye and bye
Fair Suzette wished to be Piers wife
He waited for the day's sunset
to spread it's golden riverlet
For Piers was in love with Suzette
Dame Fortune had smiled on his life
Piers was due an inheritance
Came by way of a recompense
Family feuds were once intense
Thankfully all now make good sense
The moon lightened his way ahead
He walked then rested for awhile
Reading her note he did smile
Then hurried on over the style
Spurred on by love he quickly tread
Bleating sheep barring his way along
Moved aside as he sang love song
Twas her his heart did belong
He hoped her heart was just as strong
Thoughts of meeting made his heart thud
To rendevous she had agreed
The marshy fen and the tall green reed
Bogged down his progress to impede
He soldiered on caked in the mud
As overhead storm clouds passed
Sinking, helpless, he stared aghast
ankles, then knees he was stuck fast
Frantic, his eyes about him cast
Wind caught words blown far away
Then came a glowing lantern flame
Wending a pathway to her swain
For her his fear he overcame
He lowered his head and then did pray
He heard wild ponies stampeding
Then towards Piers they then did swing
He searched his pockets for some string
Lassoing one did upwards spring
Oh joy he thought my lucky day.
He gained control with frantic haste
Then across the fen he did race
To lift Suzette to his embrace.
They married and named their child May
Kokoda Efogi 1942....
The Japanese turned tail and headed north on twenty eighth September forty two. ...
They'd struggled round on mountains fought stopped near Moresby by the few. ...
Eighteen hundred went to stop ten thousand in the jungle mountains high. ...
Fought and skirmished over land in a rainforest never dry. ..
Our fresh Brigade now drove them off and followed as they ran, ...
in places high we'd count the cost where our mates died every man. ...
Near Efogi in a clearing up among the mountains high, ..
stopped to wonder at the scene, dead men round a circle lie. ...
All around a circle green, bloated rotten stinking high, ...
Japanese were piled up everywhere, by the dozen just to die. ...
So many died why came the thought? What killed them though they tried? ...
There in a pit two brave men fought, two Bren gunners fought and died. ...
Sat back to back to watch the clearing, even bullet riddled, soldiered on. ...
Slowly died with each bullet searing, fought till their last bullet fired and gone. ...
Two marksmen stayed upon the trail, let the wounded, get away, ...
Japanese in thousands were a coming, o'er the mountains narrow way. ...
2 Bren machine gun bullet spenders, deadly accurate this I say, ...
all around the bullets humming, squealing Japanese were turned to clay. ...
Kokoda trail held till they died, slowed the Japanese a little way, ...
though surrounded no surrender, at the time had death to pay. ...
21st Brigade men fought and died, two lives given on the day, ...
like Horatious at the bridge, didn't falter there to stay...
September 1942 two men were discovered near Efogi in New Guinea... My father Don Johnson of the 2/25th Btn. saw these two brave men had died fighting the thousands of Japanese... Don Johnson...
The Bren machine gun .303 caliber was so accurate that 2 to three bullets did take the top
of the head off your opposition soldier, if he popped his head up.
When these brave men died we were being pressured by overwhelming odds,
Up to 13,000 available Japanese troops were encircling each of the 3 battalions total 2,500 soldiers sent to stop them.
Constantly surrounding them in the mountains, forcing retreats ...
I have felt the sun come burning,
O'er the sands of Africa,
I have climbed the steps,
Marked by the hand of time.
I have sailed along the river,
The ancient river Nile,
And have walked the route of soldiers
Mile by mile.
I have felt the tropic heat of Burma,
The sweat of jungle war,
And my lot was as the others,
Can't complain.
For we did because we had to,
For the cause was in our hearts,
For the cause was dear,
For dear was Englands name.
I have seen the light rising,
O'er the battlefield,
And the scorching sand,
Mixed with the blood of men.
And I vowed if there be Heaven,
And if be looked upon,
God give heart,
This never comes again.
I have existed in the trenches,
I have felt the cold, cold, night,
Inhaled the stench of hell,
And felt such pain,
I have soldiered through the ages,
When will the answer be,
For soldiers all as pawns,
Will play the game.
I have known the taste of victory,
The comradeship of men,
The closeness all as brothers to the end,
And held the Cross of Valour,
And have felt the touch of shame,
For broken hearts they mourn for broken men.
When in the end be counted,
The mistakes of times gone by,
Give tally to the losses on the way.
For all who served our country.
Be never far from mind,
And Bless'ed be Upon Remembrance Day.
From Pulivendula a place so far,
God sent his angel called YSR.
No cosmic star, superstar or megastar,
But AP’s only ever GIGASTAR.
He gave to the state a brand new fate,
Power and water for farmers to irrigate.
No more monsoon failures no more drought,
Even the opposition could gauge his clout.
Heaven’s chosen foot soldier, he soldiered on,
Before we knew it, they said he was gone.
The state and nation will miss his face,
Ever so smiling and full of grace.
Those whom God loves he makes die young,
This true Andhramight didn’t leave unsung.
By now I’m sure he’s in Gods safe keeping,
A hard working angel, he was never found sleeping.
Most loyal to his party he really was,
Saved it from all the enemies jaws.
Practically introduced from all of his dreams,
succour for the poor and benevolent schemes.
Where he is right now, we don’t know for sure,
With happiness he’s smiling, the Lords opened the door.
Not one to act like some cunning old smarty,
He was loved by the masses and every known party.
Respecting every voters true sentiments,
Never failing to keep his promised commitments.
On earth he did a lot to please,
May his soul so rest in peace.
Many consider his son a political novice,
Good thinking indeed, he’s a man with no-vice!
Through the teachings of his father, he has the same spirit,
Why for one moment should we doubt his merit?
Give him the chance and he’ll prove it to you,
Doing all things left, his father had no time to do.
- Prince Freakasso (Artist & Poet)