Nostalgia Military Poems

We were accustomed to being in the military living in the
barracks, having inspections and following the rules.
Yet, at summer's zenith, my sweetheart and I and...

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Oh the army looked after its own
It really must be said
Except the RSM didn’t really 
Tuck the squaddies up in bed.
Three square meals a day
You...

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For forty years she stood there
On watch every single hour
One tentacle of defence against
A perceived enemy power.
There is  now a new golf course
Where the...

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High summer at the Regiment,
Admin Inspection coming around
So they placed a little saluting base
At the edge of the Parade Ground.
A coco matting covered floor
On a...

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Elvis has left the building.
West Berlin, a significant place
Where life was lived at a frantic pace.
Me and Old Elvis together through the night
In those days...

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A VW Beetle 
An unloaded thirty eight
In the passenger seat
And out through the gate
A briefcase of secrets
Chained to the wrist
Memorized instructions
From an unwritten list.

In the...

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Young lads in their teens and Gung Ho,
Signed on the dotted, all said let's go.
A bedraggled bunch were dumped at the gate,
A sergeant trying to...

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Strong was the art our eyes would steal.

Long was the waiting for hearts to heal.

Meeting in strange and unusual places,

Leathered and crease-worn, fragile faces,

Swirling with...

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Looking back, one thing comes clean-glass clear
you were always there for me subduing every fear.

I tried to do my duty, be a husband strong and...

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A mighty fortress is this venerable plane!
A flying fortress indeed - the adversary's bane!
Though she groans as through the celestial dome she flies,
There's no sturdier...

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A MOTHERS’ MEMORIAL DAY
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS


The Is No Measure with Which to Gauge the Pain
Nor the Silent Bitterness Which Will Always Remain
In the Grief Stricken...

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High above the parade ground
Our four groups of three
Lined up in a helicopter
Hovering over the trees

With parachutes heavy on our backs
The jump master checks for...

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As a child he played with an Erector set.
Career choice, military cadet.
Mom tried with all her powers.
"Come home. Build towers."
On the phone,
Hours.
At gravestone,
Tears like rain...

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They took away my peacenik beads
                   ...

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Five years ago, on New Year's Eve,
I resolved to love forever,
Weeks later, the mailman came,
My draft notice arrived.

Four years ago, on New Year's Eve,
I wished...

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