Long Commanders Poems
Long Commanders Poems. Below are the most popular long Commanders by PoetrySoup Members. You can search for long Commanders poems by poem length and keyword.
Dedicated to the Officers and crew of
USS Columbia (SSN 771)
Goodbye Sun
We are welcomed by men in
immaculate whites
Through a hatch
we descend a steep ladder
into "The Last Slider"
From a narrow corridor we enter
into the brain and nerves
of this vessel-
To my untrained eye the confusion
of cables overhead is bewildering
This black ship of stealth
tracks the world outside,
silently invisible itself
Rows of monitors, sonar devices
high powered periscopes
all with a myriad of buttons to push-
A marvel of technology -
yet men are the heart and soul
of this great ship
They are Submariners
They say goodbye to the sun
for months on end
Week after harrowing week they spend
day after day on grinding drills
where the only thrill is their daily meals
Systematic, methodical
They are human- in a ship of war
but a ship that exists for freedom
The Officers guide us through each section
The ship at rest has released them
from an endless commitment but
with a practiced eye
they are still attuned to every detail
Commanders almost prescient
so in step with every procedure
they can sense malfunction in their sleep
I notice the commitment to excellence
I note the pride behind the
preparations for our inspection
Blue curtains with the ships insignia
are drawn on bunk beds
Shiny copper engine parts, clean bright paint
reflects the values of those who
keep their vessel, ship-shape
Now I stand in the nose where the
weapons rest
The metal tubes look benign
for all the power they contain
Ironically in rows, directly above,
the crew's bunks are located-
in tiers of three -even sleep
is regimented
Photos of family are the only
human touch in
this dark, black, whale
of a vessel
The sense of duty for each individual
seems overwhelming
There is a spirit of complete trust
between them
This is a world for honorable men
"Victory is Silence"
I try to imagine daily living
the self-containment
the steely discipline
the choosing to go forward in the face of
uncertainty
Precision and man - morphing
The pact between Submariners is
absolute.
They move as one.
BRIAN'S CHOICE K,any form,any theme
Contest Judged: 5/19/2020 12:08:00 AM
Sponsored by: Brian Strand
3rd Place
Not so many years ago "streaking" was the latest fad.
Fellers made a "brief" appearance now and then with nothing clad!
Preachers pounded their pulpits declaring it an abomination,
But broad-minded folks thought it a cause for great "hilariation!"
Base commanders are charged with maintaining good discipline and order,
But one bird-colonel was outraged when a situation crossed the border!
He and his spouse settled to enjoy a movie at the base theater one night.
A "streaker" raced across the stage and, as they say, exited "stage right!"
At the staff meeting next day the colonel was in a towering rage!
Demanding, "Who was that freak who last night raced across my stage?"
The staff sat with pursed lips with nothing to offer as he had his say.
The commander ranted on, "If I ever catch the guy there'll be hell to pay!"
The chaplain broke the silence and offered a Biblical reference to the situation:
"Sir, said he "In the fourteenth chapter of Mark there was a similar occasion.
A young man wearing nothing but a linen garment was seized but he fled,
Leaving his garment behind!" (The colonel's face assumed a livid red!)
The commander was not at all amused and abruptly dismissed his staff!
Of course the story "streaked" around the base about the chaplain's gaffe!
The young miscreant was never identified and may yet be on the "run".
It can truly be said that everyone but the colonel took it all in fun!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Placed No. 2 in Deborah Guzzi's "Summer Time" Contest - August 2010
Perhaps in another time and in another land
We will watch the sunset, laughing
Hand in hand
In the cradle of a beautiful land
Far from strife
Far from reprimand
We, our own commanders
In the distant land
The longing comes from the great pain
Which both of us have suffered
O, beautiful dame
Alas, it was all in vain
For I am not coming back again
I don't wish to see you in pain
I am irreparable because of time and strain
Forgive me for giving you sadness once again
Engulf me in your love, My daffodil
Kiss me like sunlight, My sunflower
My pure, innocent Daisy
My Tulip I declare my love to you
I've received numerous honors and certificates o'er the years,
And for just doing my job received nice accolades from my peers!
Many are displayed on the family room "bragging wall",
But our Wedding Certificate is the one I cherish most of all!
There hangs a Certificate of Merit for something or other.
There's A Cold War Recognition Certificate, reads another.
There are Honorable Discharge Certificates for answering the call,
But our Wedding Certificate is the one I cherish most of all!
Nicely framed is a Chaplaincy Certificate awarded to a select few.
Near that is displayed a hard-won College Certificate too.
There are Promotion Certificates my commanders did install,
But our Wedding Certificate is the one I cherish most of all!
One I prize is a Certificate from the State Supreme Court.
Also, an Air Force Appreciation Certificate for my wife's support.
My Air Force Retirement Certificate is proudly posted on the wall,
But our Wedding Certificate is the one I cherish most of all!
Hanging side-by-side are two prized military certifications,
For the Meritorious Service and Commendation Medal decorations.
Tho' these fancy accolades and honors do somewhat enthrall,
Our Wedding Certificate is the one I cherish most of all!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)
I sat beneath a Veteran-oak,
In awe of His strength—
Here was a solid spirit!
Sympathy you get from Willow,
But stiff upper-lip from old soldiers,
With forged bark —
His limbs flexed, cut, rippled against the wind…
No chinks in this warrior-wood…
“Divide and Conquer!”
Then I thought of my Father—
A cook at the end of the war—The Big One!
You know the One I mean, as if there are small ones—
When the commanders were through eating
He was instructed to toss the leftovers
From the belch of plates—
Trashcans were in the alley,
The steel that seems intrinsic to battles
In one form or another—
The hungry German children
Would sneak pass the guards
And line-up;
My father would sneak pass his superiors
And his honor
To dispense carefully wrapped scraps…
Well, soon the line was out into the street
As my father was compelled to seek food
From wherever he could steal, beg or barter
To procure—This brought attention—the cat-out-of-the-bag,
And all hell down on my father,
As the captain screamed: Gus, these are the enemy (the children in the alley),
What in God’s Name are you doing?
He was forced to stop—no Court Marshal though…
I looked up again at the old oak,
Through the snarled branches
Deep into the staunch soldier,
Where I spied a nest
In a small, compact fork—
Having a canopy of extra leaves
For shade and shelter from the wind—
I smiled—hum…
His bark reddened, but like my father, no apology from this weathered soldier…
Over the waters blue, the night winds sigh,
the breakers roar.”
_ by Lord Byron
Beneath the moon, Earth's living oceans breathe
with pulsing tides and swells that rise and fall.
The iridescent blues on rolling waves
add mystery, as night winds echo sighs.
Large breakers roar and crash upon the shore
as gusty winds push forward frothy waves-
displaying unleashed power over land;
a force that dominates beyond control.
So like another world, our oceans seem-
with depths to places down below huge waves;
where creatures large and small in secret worlds
explore their universe- to us unknown.
What lies beneath of life we've never seen
or life that was- now buried deep below
where land was once- but seized by ocean's might;
commanders of this Earth- these oceans are.
Beyond our skies- unknowns bemuse our minds;
neath ocean waves rests knowledge still to come.
On land, we in the middle share a loss
in finding answers to these mysteries.
I'm using this poem to explain,
How it is, I personally feel,
Living in this modern world today,
Speaking my truth, raw and real.
Even at my age I've seen,
Such a devastating amount of change,
But the fact we're still declining,
Is what I find most strange.
A colossal rise in living costs,
No sign of it going down,
Zero trust left in any leaders,
From the government to the crown.
The peoples voices have been silenced,
Too afraid to speak their mind,
Nothing but corrupt commanders in charge,
Acting selfish, forgetting to be kind.
I'm now living in a world,
It's shamefully popular to be fake,
Forever fighting over religion and money,
Putting our childrens future at stake.
They prepared a squad to ambush
On hairy forests of a human head.
Things were well planned to push
The army on the murky skin-bed.
Army of Lice marched on warily
Towards the places assigned to all.
They had to peep everywhere slyly
Lest they are knocked by Fingernail.
The Larger ones are the commanders
Of this momentous Guerrilla attack.
Smalls will follow forgetting Slanders
And battle with guts, work in Pack.
They furrow the skin to make Trench
So that they can fight and stay secure.
Some would plunge in them to drench
Themselves in the blood for adventure.
These Lice have a Mission to fulfill.
They make slices of nice hair with
Their teeth of Vice like stinging Eel
Or Mice, with ruthless urge beneath.
They have attacked on the Two-footed,
Some would hide and ambush at once,
Some hang by hair until it’s uprooted.
All they do is sip, sting, cling, flounce.
He awoke as Bögü Qaghan, Khan of the Uyghurs, Great East Wise Prince
He heard the words “Visit the seven petal lotus of times since
And breathe in that lotus flower’s scent, by the holy wind, to convince
Your heart to be born again in spirit, without needing to rinse”
Bögü Qaghan put on his armour for another day of battle
And worshipped Tengri, god of the heavens, despite earthly prattle
He successfully fought Yan, to aid the Tang, as if it was fate
Travelled to the city of Luoyang to pray, wish and contemplate
Exhausted after the fight, four angels came, each carrying a plate
Carrying a petal from a white lotus flower that grew great
Nostalgia grew in Bögü Qaghan’s heart, recollecting an old bond
An old friend called from beyond, a lotus grew out of his soul’s pond
"The bright crowned Hearer, the Keeper of Faithfulness
Whose virtue upholds the state of holiness
May the eons guard the defenders of greatness
And the commanders of the divine highness
May they all be crowned with the gold of the sages
May it be so for ages upon ages"
He bowed his head and smelled the small petals of splendorous moonlight
And the heavens opened, the world shook, and all the world was bathed in light
The indiscriminate sun rose in the Orkhon Valley of might
Almost five hundred years after the sun set into a pond in plight
The King of Kings was born as the Divine Khan of countless many
The Son of a King was born again as the Emanation of Mani
There are eminent personages among the enlisted grades,
Who deserve the utmost in respect and well-earned accolades.
These are the dedicated Sergeants of whom I speak,
Who guide the strong and encourage the weak!
Steadfast leaders whom commanders rely upon,
When they need to get the tough jobs done.
Never-bending sturdy oaks in the face of adversity,
Possessing traits held by few - loyalty and integrity!
Sergeants descend from a long and distinguished tradition,
Following those who faithfully served with great distinction.
Proudly wearing chevrons bestowed upon a privileged few,
And setting high standards for generations that will ensue!
From time immemorial through the present generation,
Brave men and women were led by Sergeants with dedication.
Dreadful loss of life and limb was, alas, sustained,
To ensure that our precious liberties were maintained!
I'm a proud member of this elite fraternity and brotherhood,
Ever marching arm in arm for the nation's common good.
Molding young patriots to defend our glorious heritage.
All serving this great nation with indomitable courage!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved