And when light shines no more,
And laughter, merry crowds,
Bustling taverns and streets
No longer welcomes my songs
Goodbye, bye and bye
Good bard.
After the arrows flew
And the swords had clashed;
When the sunrise dew
Dilutes the blood of the bashed
Goodbye, I grant you rest
Good soldier.
When screaming has stopped
When talking died,
When hearts are questioned
And love wherefore
Goodbye, lovelorn man
Goodbye lover.
Alas, madness overrun
And heart torn apart,
I dare not say
Lest you call me insane
Goodbye, o farewell to thee
My sanity, goodbye.
When things don't work, I panic
I call the plumber or the mechanic
the electrician, or appliance repairman
without them I would despair, Man.
I can't fix my bike when it blows a tire
To be competent is a dream to which I aspire
But I was born all thumbs, and though I read tomes
When it comes to troubleshooting, I'm no Sherlock Holmes.
So I respect the people who make things work
But I wonder if in our government such people lurk.
Could politicians change a light bulb, fix a car?
splice a broken wire, get my bike to go far?
Could I trust my mayor as a babysitter
Or for that matter, a sweater knitter?
Can a college student clean a dorm?
Are mindless slogans the new norm?
When the power goes out, and it gets cold
Will we find a bill of goods that we've been sold?
Do we use the same criteria to trust an orator
That we do when hiring someone to wallpaper a corridor?
My Dad was told I'd make a good soldier, because I looked strong
My Dad winced and said "Sir, you got that wrong"
Maybe I could be a writer, or maybe wash the floor
Can someone shoe me how to mop? for help I must implore.
Conflict wages war -
yet the good soldier desires
true kinship, through peace.
When shall people see?
That love and kindness don't make -
a moral man weak.
Unity and grace -
wisdom, guidance, courage, love.
Does, a true man, make!
01.31.2024
Finally home, cheers, hugs, kisses abound
My head throbs, but the fierce rage I contain
On hair-trigger alert, my inner storm starts to pound
As a good soldier, I've learned to take the pain
Family and friends are strangers somehow
Their laughter and words sound rehearsed and staged
Their eyes betray fear of who I am now
In their lives I can no longer be engaged
I flinch when car lights flash and horns sound
With dread, all night I pace the floor
Sunrise, I depart, Greyhound station bound
Too lost to be found, I've no home anymore
Written 9/14/22
Pick-A-Title, Vol 32 - Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh
"ONSLAUGHT"
Marching with confident swagger, they stride
Jubilantly boasting of pony ride
While slinging rifle with flair
For cowboy video share
As Christ’s young soldiers*, amidst boyish pride.
*2Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
May 6, 2022
3rd place, "High Noon " Cow Boy Limerick Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Joseph May; judged on 5/8/2022.
20 Cents
The guy gave the war concern 20 cents
This was enough to buy ten bullets
Which would kill ten enemy soldiers
If fired accurately by a good soldier
He'd give more if he could afford it
But he was jobless and skint
20 cents was all he could afford
Bread and coffee cost money
Even if cheaper thru the VA
His benefits were little not enough
So he just gave 20 cents
To the war collection team
When they knocked on his door
It brought back memories
Vietnam and Central America
Plus other deniable places
Still alive in his head
He didn't like Russians
So 20 cents was fine
The cost of ten bullets
For a competent soldier
He prayed they wouldn't miss
Once he was a soldier
With many good kills
All of them Russians...
Committed to stay triumphant all day
Warrior am I in the fight for what’s right
Steadfast as champion along winning way
Marching toward victory with God’s might.
Amidst struggles to protect freedom’s best
Against dominion of invading fear
Girded am I with peace-armor’s finest
Geared to vanquish terror of hate-filled tear.
With faith in the Almighty Who grants grace
My soul rejoices to raise my flag high
I face my foes, enabled by Christ’s brace
Conquering well till final battle draws nigh.
Now to the war zone I fully embark
Soldier* am I bringing hope’s fiery spark.
*2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Christ.
September 19, 2020
1st place, "COMPLETELY YOUR CHOICE (16)any form any theme" Poetry Contest; Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 9/26/2020.
Blessed be the LORD my strength,
which teacheth my hands to war,
and my fingers to fight:
Ps. 144:1
Thank you, LORD!
Thank you, LORD!
I want to thank you
for teaching my hands
to war against evil
Thank you, LORD!
Thank you, LORD!
I want to thank you
for teaching my fingers
to fight for righteousness
Thank you, LORD!
Thank you, LORD!
I want to thank you
for teaching my heart
to be not fearful of the battle
Thank you, LORD!
Thank you, LORD!
I want to thank you
for teaching my soul
to not fret, or be afraid of death
Thank you, LORD!
Thank you, LORD!
I want to thank you
for letting me be a Calvary student;
learning to cross enemy lines, cold foxholes in the dust
Thank you, LORD!
Thank you, LORD!
I want to thank you
for being my shield and buckler
Teaching me that only in you, I should ever armor trust
Thank you, LORD!
Thank you, LORD!
I want to thank you
for teaching me to be a do-good soldier
in the daily battle of Armageddon: the wicked vs the just
Mighty by Christ’s great strength-grace
God’s soldiers* are victorious
Fighting through holiness’ brace
Exalting His name, glorious.
Bravely subduing evil
With the Lord’s armour and sword
Their faith shows triumph-anvil
Shouting truth along His Word.
*2Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
July 19, 2019
Warriors of righteousness, they are the Christ’s soldiers*
Persistently marching on with God’s might steadfastly
Standing midst adversities, they fight thru faith’s strength
Verily empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Upholding Scriptural standards of holiness
They lift up decency-banner loftily high
Battling against evils of immorality
Honouring their great Commander’s exalted name.
Fear of the unknown does not intimidate them
Believing that God knows best by His omniscience
As they acknowledge their human infirmities
Their trust in the Almighty conquers every doubt.
Superiority complex does not grip their heart
While in serving, they exercise humility
Never allowing arrogance-domination
With their complete surrender to the Lord’s control.
*2Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
May 16, 2019
WHAT IF I
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS
What if I would die suddenly, this day
What would kin and acquaintances say
That I was smart, clever keeping my cool
That I was gentleman, quite hard to fool
That I could be counted as a friend
That I was generous, willing to lend
That my word was solid, all could rely
That I was honest, not living a lie
That I was true, earning your trust
That I was faithful, eschewing lust
That I was a good son, most of the time
That I was a good soldier, many will chime
That I was a good husband, in my life
That I was a true partner, to my wife
That I was a good father, to my progeny
That I was a good provider, to my family
That I was great: praised often in the eulogy
That I will be missed, by those knowing me
That I will be lauded, in glowing terms
That I was a luminary, the mourners affirm
There is a duty that all mourners share
The deceased is treated with vocal care
True feelings are seldom brought to light
Any ugly experiences are hidden from sight
No truer words have ever been said
Everyone loved me, now that I’m dead
Santa's list
Picture by Alan L Boles
Santa... I don't want any toys
This year,
I've changed my mind!!!
Please...all I want is my daddy,
I've heard mummy crying,
And it makes me sad,
I've left a candle by the window,
So he can find his way home,
Teddy is upset,
And getting worried,
Thinks he's lost,
In the deep snow,
He went to a faraway country,
Where there is fighting and war,
But promised he would be safe,
He's a good soldier
Looking after people,
But I need him more,
And it's Christmas tomorrow,
I want to stay here and wait,
Till... he gets home,
Mummy said..it's getting late,
I have to go to bed,
Big...y...a...w...n,
Night, night,
See you in the morning daddy,
Please be here,
When I wake,
God bless mummy,
God bless daddy,
Please God
Fetch daddy home.
For Christmas.
Wendy Jae
Santa's list
Picture by Alan L Boles
Santa... I don't want any toys
This year,
I've changed my mind!!!
Please...all I want is my daddy,
I've heard mummy crying,
And it makes me sad,
I've left a candle by the window,
So he can find his way home,
Teddy is upset,
And getting worried,
Thinks he's lost,
In the deep snow,
He went to a faraway country,
Where there is fighting and war,
But promised he would be safe,
He's a good soldier
Looking after people,
But I need him more,
And it's Christmas tomorrow,
I want to stay here and wait,
Till... he gets home,
Mummy said..it's getting late,
I have to go to bed,
Big...y...a...w...n,
Night, night,
See you in the morning daddy,
Please be here,
When I wake,
God bless mummy,
God bless daddy,
Please God
Fetch daddy home.
For Christmas.
Wendy Jae
Santa's list
Santa... I don't want any toys
This year,
I've changed my mind!!!
Please...all I want is my daddy,
I've heard mummy crying,
And it makes me sad,
I've left a candle by the window,
So he can find his way home,
Teddy is upset,
And getting worried,
Thinks he's lost,
In the deep snow,
He went to a faraway country,
Where there is fighting and war,
But promised he would be safe,
He's a good soldier
Looking after people,
But I need him more,
And it's Christmas tomorrow,
I want to stay here and wait,
Till... he gets home,
Mummy said..it's getting late,
I have to go to bed,
Big...y...a...w...n,
Night, night,
See you in the morning daddy,
Please be here,
When I wake,
God bless mummy,
God bless daddy,
Please God
Fetch daddy home.
For Christmas.
Wendy Jae
G-ood soldier of the Lord,
E-nemy's worst nightmare;
R-eady to defend the faith,
S-trong during vile weather.
O-ctober thirteenth morn, comes the brave warrior;
N-either arm will weaken in fulfilling his fervor.
N-ot for a time will he quit,
O-bliterating the evil deed;
N-either eye will turn blind
A-t the chosen ones' need.
T-otal trust in the Father and in the double-edged sword;
O-ne true obedient servant is a good soldier of the Lord.
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