Best Warsound Poems
Rat a - Tat - Tat; Rat a - Tat- Tat
the drums did roll and beat
the men in their uniforms how they stood
so tall and trim and neat,
by ranks and files and squads they stood
with weapons, packs and flags
the flower of our nation's youth
did march to the drummers' beat.
Rat a - Tat - Tat; Rat a - Tat- Tat
off to the wars they marched
with waves goodbye, and speeches of pride
they marched away while their loved ones cried.
Rat a - Tat - Tat; Rat a - Tat- Tat
While one could question the wisdom of war
no one could doubt the soldier's scars,
war after war they were sent...
and bravely wherever sent - they went.
Rat a - Tat - Tat; Rat a - Tat- Tat
The drums did roll and beat
the men in their uniforms how they stood
so tall and trim and neat,
and off to the wars they marched
to the sound of the drummers' beat.
Rat a - Tat - Tat; Rat a - Tat- Tat
In battles they won to keep us free
but not without a price for victory.
They returned from places with names so strange
but some returned to a different beat,
with a slow roll, slow march - mournful and sad
they brought our loved ones home again.
To a grateful nation they gave their all
without a whimper or complaint they saw it all
and returned from places far away
battered and scarred - but free.
Rat a - Tat - Tat; Rat a - Tat- Tat
Soon the sound of drums were heard
and leaders did call again...
with struts and speeches that sounded so grand
off our youth were sent with a band
Rat a - Tat - Tat; Rat a - Tat- Tat.
Dedicated in loving memory to all who served.
Deployment
We stand here in our small groups
Talking nervously
How I handle who I am
Is now all up to me
Our duffles are all neatly stacked
I hear the muffled din
While waiting for the sergeants call
“All right troops, let’s fall in”
My mind races with emotion
As I kiss my wife goodbye
I hug my daughter closely
And tell her not to cry
I put on my bravest face
Although I know inside
That as I turn to walk away
A part of me has died
I really want to look back
But dare not turn my head
I cannot dwell on what’s behind
I must focus on what’s ahead
We walk down the gangway
Moving toward the gates
Where soon we will all embark
On the aircraft that awaits
As we near other passengers
One person slowly stands
And I hear the sound of clapping
From a single pair of hands
And quickly, as if echoed
The sound begins to grow
Everyone applauding us
As slowly past we go
Hands reach out to touch us
Catcalls can be heard
We feel the power of their support
The adrenalin from their words
We are their sons and daughters
Their husbands and their wives
Who now must leave their comfort zone
And jeopardize their lives
I stand a little straighter
New emotions now inside
The fear and sadness I had felt
Is now replaced with pride