Best Tough As Nails Poems
Courage of Youth, Battle of Ypres, Flanders Field
(A Tribute)
Tough as nails young man with a red right hand
red-fire and whiskey ran in his blood.
Courageous seed of vast and cold hard land
quick temper, power of a surging flood.
Seeker of life, its promised mysteries
rash gambler with all he would ever own.
Born on ship in high wind swept, roaring seas
toughest warrior his town had ever grown.
Met his fate by volley of red-hot lead
buried on ground scared and battle blasted.
Aye boys, fodder that machine guns were fed
fools marching to death, long as it lasted.
Now flowers cover up and Time denies
scenes of battle torn soil and blood-red skies.
R.J. Lindley
April 23rd, 1975
SONNET-(DEATH AND WAR'S FUTILITY)
Tribute to Courage of Youth-- Second Battle of Ypres, April 22nd 1915 .
Note- added - 8-26-2017
Wiki-
The name Flanders Fields is particularly associated with battles that took place in the Ypres Salient, including the Second Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Passchendaele. For most of the war, the front line ran continuously from south of Zeebrugge on the Belgian coast, across Flanders Fields into the centre of Northern France before moving eastwards — and it was known as the Western Front.
The phrase originates from a poem titled In Flanders Fields by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, inspired by his service during the Second Battle of Ypres. The fields were not maintained for years before they were made into a memorial. Today Flanders Fields is home to thousands of poppies.
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Found this while rummaging through some of my old poems. Decided not to edit it. Leave it as it was composed over 42 years ago..
Added the note for those not familiar with that battle and its horrific carnage, primarily from the insanity of large bodies of troops marching into direct machine gun fire.
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Note:
This poem was selected and requested for teaching purposes at Cambridge University. Permission was granted for educational use.... RJL
I shall live and die
By my own accord
Only my God may judge me
To him I've proved my worth
I am still here fighting
It matters not what for
On my ship of righteousness
Headed for waters unexplored
The clear night sky will darken
And the clouds seem ominous
I take heed to the sure signs
From them I won't digress
They are in the way of my dreams
And hopes that fill my sails
Like the wind from my heaven
Keeps my skin tough as nails
Evil comes to tempt me
I am not immune
Sometimes I play the hero
Other times I'm just a fool
Either way the choice is mine
I make it with my free will
For that's the gift he gave me
And for what I fight for still
The government is coming
To bring a chaos they call order
The line has been drawn
Between two sides there is a border
I feel myself being torn
To choose a fate in stone
Let this be a lesson
Why I wander on my own
Minds can be controlled
I see it every day
The weak wills fall like dominos
That lie littering my way
An obstacle before me
I iron will it to the end
And when the devil comes
to dance with me
I have already started to transcend
into everything around
I am the universal man
my true form I shall disguise
I am hiding it from this great Satan
they say will come for my demise
I know he will find me
maybe he already has
in a long gone nightmare
that my soul he stole at last
if I remember correctly
I can't say I recall
ever escaping his grip
or did it ever touch me
at all?
Now Gone, I So Wish I Could Sing A Song
Why did he smile only by few inches
His face contorted and it was askew
By the garden was a flock of finches
Old age, do we forget what we once knew
His arms were skinny, not near as mighty
His head kinda bald and his beard bright white
He said his first wife was mad, too flighty
When loving her body was quite a sight
But he was my beloved dad and proud
Often complained of failing eyesight
And when he did that it was very loud
Told me when you do something do it right.
My dad, so tough, honest as day is long.
Now gone, I so wish I could sing a song!
Robert J. Lindley, 6-23-2023
Sonnet,
My father was the most honest man I've ever known.
And tough as nails too.
Long ago back in the day
When my beard was full
My hair wasn’t gray
Had a bike and used to ride
Had a friend from LA
He had been to Nam
Had worn as badge
Tough as nails hard as steel
One day word came around
He was down and feelin’ bad
Going to kill him self
And anyone who came around
A friend is a friend
A good one is hard to find
And there’s a bond
You don’t set aside
I got my bike
And I set off
Wondering if so I be dead
Knock on his door
And waited in dread
He opened the door
And looked me in the eye
If you’re going to kill yourself
Can I have your bike
He smiled and said
You wouldn’t want that
It got too many problems
I just wanted
To see who were my friends
Come on inside
Things my father taught me
he never wrote down
was not the writing type
tough as nails he was my dad
a word of praise made you feel big as brass
one glance was quick to cut you down to size
I lied only once to him.. a shame I will take to my grave
years later a disappointment he took to his
that man struggled hard every day
worked his fingers raw to the bone
never heard him ever complain
I learned that your word
at any age is all that a man
truly has to give and that pride
can never be taken from you
it is something only a fool lets slip away
he never gave or took anything for free
hugging and such that just was not his way
but when he crawled wearily into his bed late at night
I knew the meaning of a hard days pay
and when that man’s boot's hit the floor
I knew that the dad I loved....was home
Irish
A TRIBUTE TO MY FRIEND.
Warriors, brave in battle and honorable at home
we pray they find their most just reward.
To Heaven departed, no longer will they roam
We lose them and find its always SO hard!
As God in Heaven holds out his merciful hand,
they touch, to now charge him, defend our land.
As they look down to this land they so love,
We gaze up, praying they await us in Heaven above.
Rip
Michael C. Crowe......
Note: He was my friend from back in my youth(ancient times it seems now)....
One of the --good-- tough guys that was never a bully.
We once argued seriously over a girl(that year later she became my first wife) but
we never came to blows.. I had no fear and neither did he..
Guy was as tough as nails and a Marine Corps veteran in the early 1970's.
Sad to only find out this morn of his death and funeral. I would have went..
If you click on the link and see his picture, imagine him 40 years younger and
built like a tank,strong as a bull and one helluva boxer.
Married his wife early 70's still married to her at time of his death.
I salute his service and note my great sadness upon learning of his recent passing..
http://www.democrattribune.com/story/2254768.html
Michael Crowe
Monday, November 30, 2015
(Photo) TRUMANN - Mr. Michael C. Crowe, 63, of Trumann died Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015 at the family residence. Mr. Crowe was born in Dyess, and had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was a veteran of the US Marine Corps, a retired construction worker and of the Baptist Faith.
little girl who rose up
above poverty
above ignorance
above forced marriage...
little girl who rose up
little girl who grew up
grew up far too fast
grew up tough as nails
who became a woman
who became my seraphim
my seraphim who looked down
my seraphim who descended
my seraphim who took pity
and married me…
Submitted for: The ‘Angels’ contest
Sponsored by: Nayda Ivette Negron
Pointed white ears - distorted
Through a window pane,
Twitch to the sound of
Footsteps on the walk way.
They wait - still as twin statues
Carved in alabaster.
Then - eye contact
Through a glistening glass.
Not a muscle moves, not a sound!
Key into the doorway of their world
Turns swiftly,
Its companions jingling impatiently.
Click, click - then,
Nails - tough as nails,
Rake the back side of my front door.
Stir up the cooling embers of my heart.
Enter now into utter frenzy
Served up nightly.
A raucous welcome home party.
Whining, whirling, dancing, twirling.
Extreme tail misbehavior!
Running, jumping, licking, barking,
Ecstasy.
I'm Home!
© 2015 Diane Lefebvre
If you like adventure you will like Match.com,
But many of them you won’t want to take home to meet your Mom.
Each guy you see is a brand new slate.
It's like an interview, looking for a potential soulmate.
Some dates have a good sense of humor and seem great,
Then some on the first date have been real cheapskates!
I’ve had some dates that I could not wait to leave,
As they whined about their ex, wearing their heart on their sleeve.
One professor met me on the first date with roses, and was so sweet.
But I discovered he had a love for his drink, and I couldn’t compete.
There have been school administrators, men in business, and sales,
Some that seem very easy-going, and some as tough as nails.
One of the most interesting by far was a farmer…
Living a country life with his animals, he was a real charmer.
There are many shysters on match too, pretending to be single,
But married… and just looking to intermingle.
There are those that are looking for money that are crooks,
That will wine you and dine you with their good looks.
To protect yourself, get a background report before you date,
Then you don’t have to wonder if you will meet an inauspicious fate.
Hopeful doesn’t mean stupid
That doesn’t mean I wasn’t stupid
I was in a state and messed up
Simple as that.
I could dramatize
Spill all the stars from my eyes and mouth and cry out for answers but,
I won’t.
My spirit can dance alone.
A lapse in judgement will not throw it off beat because it dances to a cosmic drum. My heartbeat and no one else’s.
Dropped my shield
Set myself on fire
Burned up a daft dream
And fell to ashes.
I’ve proven to relate to the phoenix
Both of us know what it’s like to die a quick death and come back stronger
Time and time again
Our ashes swirl into the manifestation of our desires and in that I find my comfort.
Boulders
Hard topped, granite counters
Tough as nails kid
But kid is man or at least he pretends to be.
Smart phones aren’t so smart but, I’m writing this on one
Sedatives and sad, country music mood swims through my veins.
Excuse me, while I go have a drink with that phoenix.
.
Always hungry, Loves sweets
Understanding
Smiles so sweet
Tough as nails
Intelligent boy of God
Nice great Nephew
Deep down within Diane is a warrior that makes her tough as nails...
And her battle and her weapons give her courage as she prevails.
Early in the morning, before you and I have stirred our coffee, she has already stirred
the heart of God...
And because she has MS, many times all she can do is smile and nod.
She's a west coast gal with a prayer warrior's heart...
And though she lives in a wheelchair, with joy and enthusiasm, she does her part.
Although MS only allows her to sometimes just smile and nod...
Remember, while you're having your morning coffee, Diane has already stirred the
heart of God.
TK<
Your Honor, I Object
By Elton Camp
Lawyer Louie caters to a special clientele
Only those who are rich and guilty as hell
And, in exchange for his exorbitant fee,
Louie will make sure that they’re set free
He will use ever trick, but never go so far
That the ABA might take action to disbar
All of the prosecution’s witnesses he’ll try
To show they’re incompetent or telling a lie
When the District Attorney starts to close in,
Then Louie will “Your honor I object” begin
He objects to someone able to establish a fact
And from his client’s reputation dare detract
Louie finally found a judge as tough as nails
Who is determined to see that justice prevails
A man who, by such tactics cannot be fooled
Will speaks up and say, “Objection overruled”
I'm warning you:
don't come weak
I'm telling you:
don't come lame
I play on the hard diamond,
so don't come with no softball game
I'm a hard-nosed ballplayer,
I don't mind some dirt being kicked in my face
'Cause I'm gonna come back hard charging,
and with fear that smug look is gonna be replaced
Natural born gritty truth-teller,
that's what I am, that's who I be
Step aside if you're in my base path;
if you don't wanna be in a world of pain,
then you better start doing the math
How much time do you have
before we collide when I get there
How much impact can you take
when I send you flying feet first up in the air
I play on the hard diamond,
so don't come with no softball game
I play to win every time always,
so take a number and state your name
Should I ever be down,
and it looks like for sure I'm gonna lose
There's no quit in me, no sir,
got a tough-as-nails ego that don't easily bruise
So take your best shot,
take your very best swing
Show me what you got
on this hard-to-hit offering
So take your best shot,
'cause you're down to your last swing
You've been losing a lot
to this flame throwing hard diamond king
Title: Wind on our back
A camp counselor once, I thought I should glide
I ran fifteen miles, at the airport applied
A pilot took me up, above the Pocono grass
But I got airsick when the plane took a pass.
The pilot didn't want me throwing up in his plane
He dived to the ground, like an eagle gone insane
So I learned I can't soar, on the road I can glide.
Nothing wrong though with my having tried.
As a teen I ran track at Avebury High
Sometimes slow, rarely fast, I wouldn't want to lie
Then in college I hatched a different scheme
I wouldn't compete, just run with the team.
The coach sat us down, asked our time and event
Each kid's time incredible, I knew what that meant
I said "Skip me, please" ready to escape out the door
But their good natured laughter rose to a roar.
At the U of Delaware, I tried the same scheme
I didn't compete, just ran with the team
Came by in street clothes one day, but led the pack
Then the captain sprinted, a successful attack.
[chorus]
It was a healthy time, and my pace improved,
It was fun to go fast, and with grace I moved.
When you're in great shape the road ahead seems free,
Like running with the wind, like sailing on the sea.
I had short encounters on roads and trails
Other runners, unassuming, but tough as nails
I caught up with a Marine, matched his stride,
"I love hills!" he said, a matter of pride.
On a back road ran a woman, a running blonde blaze
I caught up, but there was steel in her gaze
"Don't bother", she said, "I've run men into the ground"
I had a brief vision of scattered bodies around.
She was swift, and no doubt those guys lost face
But she had thrown the gauntlet, I had to keep pace.
Two runs I remember, they were so nice
One Delaware winter, trees sparkling with ice,
And with Westchester Roadrunners in fields of lush green
Don't know how I kept up, but magic in the scene.
[outro]
That was 40 years ago, but when night descends,
I think back to running with two teams of new friends
At Manhattan, then Delaware, both let me come
Wherever they are now, long may they run.
And may the wind be always at their back
On life's winding path, or off the main track.