it was third platoon’s turn to leave
the safety of the wire
our platoon’s mission
search and destroy
the air was like a sauna with no relief
the jungle closed in on us
blocked out the sun
our packs weighed on us
as we humped twenty klicks
without a break
our jungle fatigues
hung heavy on us
failed to wick sweat away
from our bodies
we felt as though a
salty monsoon had soaked us
Johnson, on point, was
out in front probing
for the enemy
we all hoped the day
would end peacefully
we spread out
to lesson our chances
of mass casualties
we reached the village
mid afternoon
it was deserted
even the water buffalo was gone
we ripped up the floors
in each hootch looking for
the hidden enemy-but found none
when we finished searching
we pulled our Zippos from
our pockets and lit
the dry straw that served as
a roof on each one
and watched as the hootches roared up
in flames like a Roman candle on July 4
our lieutenant signaled for us to
take a break and we sat among
the debris some smoking
cigarettes others catching some zees
no one was
going home in a body bag
our day was a success
Easter Reading
In Lima – Peru- a hippo was pulling the tram car with
its best friend, a water buffalo. They had ended up
here, far from Africa, after the great flood ebbed and
had been blessed with eternal life, only being mere
animals, they didn´t know this. In Lima, no one made
a big issue of this, but when the wider world knew
and some adventurers set about trying to kill the pair,
in vain, the Lima people took another look, especially
since the church thought they were the devil´s own
handiwork, god would never have allowed beasts
besting man. Angry people took to hurling mud and
stones at the animals, also calling them rude names.
From the mountain came a man dressed in white
burnoose, and spoke to the people:
“For years, you respected my creation, the hippo
the water buffalo, with respect and care, I thought
well of you and decided that the archbishop of Lima,
when the time was right, would be the new pope, but you
have disappointed me greatly, hence the new pope
will be the archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina”.
The man, in white burnoose, paused and said
“It is also the time you electrified the tram system.”
If you need me
You will find me
In the mountain
Riding my water buffalo
Flowing the land
For the planting season
If you don't see me there
Go, search me in the web
I'll be there writing
These lines you read
You'll see me busy
With my hands
Too busy that I can't let it stop
While I'm still awake
If for a while I'm stuck
I'll be playing chess
With my comrades
Life is simple as that.
A giraffe, an Okapi and a blue wildebeest
Walked into a bar hoping to have an horde ‘ore feast
A bongo, an Asian water buffalo came in too.
I’ve decided to sneak out. How about you?
Found a grey hair yesterday, it mighta come from the zebra.
People – tryin’ to protect us –keep getting’ closer.
One of ‘em shot Demitri when he got too close to them
as they were trying to get closer to him.
Water buffalo looks tasty…Nah, too much work.
Been waitin’ for an hour to get my hair done
Wash, Set, Die….HA, a little Lion humor.
©4/29/2019
photo #3
Free verse or Rhyme Poetry Contest
Eve Roper sponsor
A beauty that keeps him admiring cannot resist the view
Magnificence that continue blooming as cool as morning dew
Picture perfect that is unfading as long as he is in love with you
For Anna Marie, he was striving as hard as water buffalo
Days sometimes are so tiring but with her, it'll never be blue
As long as Anna Marie beside him he'll never be in woe
His couch bed a memory of kissing, lips that to him eternally new
Heart won't stop pounding, for you Anna Marie he'll keep saying I do
A loveliness that is undying her skin he always chews
Night by night they were petting but they've never left a clue
Really a wonderful journeying if and only if this story was true
Ana Marie is a part of day dreaming in a world that he only knew
10-16-2014
Mysterious Aries
sad eyes
from deep within
cold sockets
He lay there in silence, concealed for the moment
No movement now for about an hour and he had
consumed five cigarettes handily.
Geez he thought, enough already, give me a break.
Give me a patrol or something. The three or so men
he had shot earlier had finally stopped making noises.
“What is that?” he thought as light changed through
the leaves in front of his face. Leaning forward into the
reeds slightly he was soon almost nose to nose with the
big cat. He knew he was dead already, but he slowly
pulled out the revolver. The Bengal seemed to sense
the defiant nature of the young soldier. He was only
on the prowl having just feasted on a water buffalo.
Looking for a place to rest he was in no mood for
confrontation, so he moved on. The young man
mused on it for a while. Happy in the fact that he was
not harmed, yet visibly disturbed by “why not”.
truth floats
on the shifting wind
a higher power
The Escape
When Rudolph the red nosed reindeer wanted to
Be normal and join the flock on earth, Santa got depressed
Sat by many of Finland’s lakes contemplating his life
He too was tired of flying through the air and gets a cold
He wanted sunlight and a sandy beach.
He got hold of a tame water buffalo and an unemployed
Drunk from Helsinki and for a while they got away with it
Till an elf with a grudge told a newspaper about it and children too
Had long wondered why Rudolph had two horn, not antler and why
Santa was late, swore and kept falling off his sledge.
Santa had to come back from Thailand and sort out this corruption
He told twitter he was sorry, but fired blabber mouthed elf.
He had to look for sober man to act as Santa and train a new reindeer,
Because Rudolph and had got the taste of the high life.
I had forgotten
the spells that nature
can cast
But today I saw
ducks floating on water
carp and catfish below the surface
and migratory birds by the hundreds
flying over my head
The reeds in the
water added to
the mystery
And then I spotted
a brood
of water buffalo
relaxing in the sun
The natural world is
still there for us
to enjoy
Let us all make sure
``that we save our fellow
travelers on
this orb
The flora and fauna
`around us
dazzle the eyes and ears
Bring us together
as one!
Life cracks me up
Throwing bricks at my face
Dodging them through the paths of the wilderness
Where the water buffalo roam
Strangers make accusations
or peek into business
Where eyes will be destroyed for piercing through sharp glass
Note to self don't ever look back
Keep pushing through raging waters
Breaking the strong current apart
To the point where grace returns to spark your enlightened poetic heart
Easter Reading
In Lima – Peru- a hippo was pulling the tram car with
its best friend a water buffalo. They had ended up
here, far from Africa, after the great flood ebbed and
had been blessed with eternal life, only being mere
animals they didn´t know this. In Lima no one made
a big issue of this, but when the wider world knew
and some adventurers set about trying to kill the pair,
in vain, the Lima people took another look, especially
since the church thought they were the devil´s own
handiwork and god would never had allowed beasts
besting man. Angry people took to hurling mud and
stones at the animals, also calling them rude names.
From the mountain came a man dressed in white
burnoose, and spoke to the people:
“For years you respected my creation, the hippo and
the water buffalo, with respect and care I thought
well of you and decided that the archbishop of Lima,
when time was right, would be the new pope, but you
have disappointed me greatly; hence the new pope
will be the archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina”.
The man, in white burnoose paused… and said: “It is
also time you electrified the tram system.”
BALIKBAYAN
Six months away to travel
Home to a nostalgic place
Where, once more, I'd be able to capture
The free things:
Mountains, pristine rivers, rice fields, fresh air, etc
My relatives packing all sorts
Used clothing, spam, corned beef, Vienna sausage
Coffee, coffee mates, chocolates, candies
As if those items were not availabe
In any stores except United States.
My childhood I mirror
Daydreaming in the middle of the ricefield
Pulling strings of scarecrows
Washing clothes in the running river
Drying them under the sun.
My childhood brings me back
Climbing guava tree in the backyard
Riding a carabao was a delight
Watching a river gorge
Was a wonder and awe!
I have gone too far.
Now, I am a Balikbayan!
With big boxes in a row
Fascinating pasalubong to everyone
In return
Happy smiles I've got!
Meanings:
Balikbayan -----Overseas Filipino Workers
Pasalubong----a present or a gift
Carabao--------water buffalo
The baby ponycorn took a long drink from the
Still water of the pond.
The Enchanted forest kept her safe and sound
Though the reflection in the water gave her
Chills that nearly woke the unicorns of old
From there dead slumber
Beyond the edge of the cliff where
A fatal lunge they took,
Saving the townspeople from the
Dark and grinning Drago
Thousands of years ago...
Now Drago had returned!
Through the ripples of the water
His dark and sallow face
Glared up at ponycorn.
She hobbled away from the riverbed
Staggering through the tall grass...
On her toddler legs she tottered
Into the city ruins, astrewn with the carnage
Of past battles, she stood against a small stone wall
Which rose into a tall pillar.
As she closed her eyes
In hopes of dreaming
Of centuries past,
She smelled smoke
Through her nostrils...
Her eyes shot open
To the sight of Drago
Charging towards her
On a water buffalo,
A torch high in hand,
Laughing hysterically...
The lean, sturdy little ponycorn
Blinked tears out of her eyes
As she flared her baby ponycorn nostrils,
Kicked dirt up with her left hind leg,
And charged!
Thus is the tale of the last ponycorn.
there,
cottage of my old, carefree childhood,
softly
awash in moist morning sunlight,
nestled
beneath swaying, shiny palm trees;
yonder,
knee-deep in flowing, verdant grass,
my black
water buffalo roams at will,
leisurely
feeds on freedom while on its back
a delicate,
white egret slow-dances,
its feathers
the mountain breeze romances!
a gaga gadfly
on a water buffalo
touch me not, i rule
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