Troops confidently led to Ong Thanh Stream
United States Companies B and D.
Watched as air strikes troubled the VC team.
Later found seventeen killed enemy.
Silver Star presented to Welch that day.
Captain Nguyen Van Lam set up ambush.
First Platoon reported trees were a sway.
A claymore mine exploded in a rush.
US Military put a spin on it.
Ong Thanh was a disastrous battle.
VC Victory we did not admit.
US Soldiers informed not to tattle.
Allen and Dowling were two lost that day.
Hundreds of others, a swamp far away.
Written 12-31-2018 Contest: War Sonnet
Sponsor: Mark Massey
Categories:
dowling, war,
Form: Sonnet
I've been thinking 'bout the badlands, and about the girls I left,
Just ponderin' over troubles I ain't made just yet.
Don't seem to be too much happenin' where I once been,
Guess I'll pack up tracks and waltz home again.
Too much juice in the blood makes the head spin,
Just hit the ground stumblin' and play it again.
Can't remember how she laughed when I gave her the ring,
Lord, ain't life sometimes a frightening thing.
Seen a wanderin' man with hammer in his hand,
Said, "Say buddy, looks like you got a plan."
He turns 'round like a shot and grins in my face,
"Buddy, looks to me like you're in the wrong damn place."
On Walker and Dowling, poets beggin' for an ear,
But it's a place of which I try to steer clear.
You'll find romance and wine at the drop of a hat
But when they ask for your soul, you'll wish you sent it back.
Well, I'm tired an' turned out, Soul's longin' for the sky
But all I got is this highway, and I'll drive till I die.
She said, "Meet me in old 'Frisco" but I doubt she'll be there,
But hell, Santa Monica's about as good as it is anywhere.
Categories:
dowling, adventure, america, angst, beautiful,
Form: Prose
For many years you starred on Happy Days as Howard Cunningham.
When your fans learned that you died, they most likely said "DAMN!"
You starred in Father Dowling Mysteries as a Catholic Priest.
You have passed away and now you will Rest In Peace.
When you began acting, everybody knew that you would go far.
First you married Jane Eliot and later you married Patricia Carr.
You starred as Sheriff Amos Tupper on Murder She Wrote.
Even though you were rich and famous, you didn't gloat.
I've watched you on TV shows since I was a little boy.
You were a friendly and talented man who people enjoyed.
You were a loving husband and an awesome dad.
You died at the age of 83 and millions of people are sad.
(DEDICATED TO TOM BOSLEY WHO DIED OCTOBER 19, 2010.)
Categories:
dowling, death, dedication, losspeople, people,
Form: Rhyme
Many, many years ago when I was nearly three,
I joined my parents and we made these nationalities.
My mom was born in Berlin,
to my Hitler youth grandpa.
He didn't like some Germans,
but for his country he fought.
My dad is of an Irish name,
and he lives in the states.
And at a friendly's restaurant,
he met my mom one day.
Now Irish dad and German mom,
are happy as can be.
-But soon they felt, to be complete,
they needed to have me.
I was born in Guatemala,
many miles away.
Till my parents saw my picture,
in the USA.
And so they took a journey down,
to get my sis and me.
And thus, there are two Latins,
in the Dowling Family tree!
Now I’m married to a German
who is my best friend.
And the day she has my kids,
the whole thing starts again.
I reckon here's a lesson,
to those feeble shallow minds.
That love extends beyond a race,
or culture, place or time.
So maybe you can look at us,
and say it's only right.
That anything is possible,
in this beautiful life.
Oh, I’m the future now!
I’m the future now!
It sounds funny I know,
but we're all over the globe!
We're the future now!
Categories:
dowling, happiness, history, hope, peace,
Form: Carpe Diem