Marleen Poems | Examples

Better Men

I keep meetin 'em
don't really understand
why..
eyes always lookin ahead
calm.. 
slow to rile
yet quick to
lend a hand.

Kiss their mother on the cheek 
sayin a last goodbye..
going off to chase their fortune
never knowin' why.

Boys most, not yet men,
practiced at the two step.
farmers some..
worked out on the plain 
died in foreign holes
to lilting strains of 
Lili Marleen.

So special a rare thing,
wearin a toothy smile..
singin' praises of home
we'll all be home
in just awhile.

Necks turned dark, 
cracked and creviced  
under so many suns
they were good sons
the ones I knew.

Such a steadfast course, 
their bright future laid in, 
hoping just the same 
the pews they prayed in.

Full o' song with hearts unfurled,
now to waylaid dreams,
fine leaders of another world, 
all better men than me.