Poetry Written By and For Veterans





~ Our National Anthem ~

When I hear those beautiful words
O say can you see
It's more than just a song
It has a special meaning to me

I stand at attention with my hand over my heart
I try to listen to the words, but my mind goes back in time
I think of the young Americans who died to preserve those words
I think of how they put their lives on the line

As the words of our national Anthem echoes through my head
I can visualize my helicopter making rocket runs
I see young men of the 9th Infantry dodging and ducking bullets
I see young men trying to survive when they should have been having fun

Old Glory flutters in the breeze as the words continue on
I remember how we use to work seven days a week
I think of all the woman and men who paid the ultimate sacrifice
A tear starts to run down my cheek

I think of the Gold Star Mothers
America asked for their sons and they gave
The National Anthem is nearing its end
Land of the free and home of the brave

After the National Anthem has ended, my vision is blurred by the tears
I look to the sky and thank my God for making me an American
Chills run up and down my spine, there is a tingling around my ears
I pray the United States never has to go to war again

Joe 'Ragman' Tarnovsky
July 23, 1982




~ For My Father..."I am with you",..Love Jamie. ~

Those who were forgotten
Those who made it there
Several are still lost forever
And those left standing are few...
Some died for their country
To keep me safe and free
I pray for those not here now
And the father returned to me.

Dad, you've served your country
You fought valiant there day and night
You've taught me to have courage
And when and where to fight.

Your Loving Son, "Jamie"




~ Lend Me....... ~

Lend me your eyes
so that I may see
the world as you.
Lend me your heart
so that I may feel
the love as you.
Lend me your love
so that I may
comfort and heal as you.
Lend me your shoes
so that I may walk
the same path as you.
Lend me your strength
so that I may be as
strong as you.
Lend me your hand
so that I may get up
and lend you mine.

ÐIÊN CÁI ÐÂ`U JOE

~ A Nightmare ~

I see a child
sitting down the hall;
with his fingers
he draws upon the wall.
lights are dim,
a shadows cast -
he lifts his head
as if something passed.
I can not see
his picture clear.
his movements precise
I see from here.
he turns and looks,
a gaze of stone at me.
I stare at him.
then to his wall.
a pain comes over me...
he returns
to the creation upon his wall.
I can only tell you
nothing is there
at all.
the hall is bare.
no carpet, or color
no pictures, no dust
only me
and this other.
the floor is dark,
the walls feel thin
ceilings unseen,
yet how have we gotten in?
there are no windows:
no doors let in,
or exit to go.
not a fixture,
nor source for light.
the light is dim and faint
unable to fill the void
from every corner,
it is everywhere,
yet no where at all.
he shows no fear,
or need to escape
how can he just sit?
what is his fate?
I have tried to speak
but here there is no sound.
I try to scream!
I turn on the wall,
with fists I begin to pound
My knees hit the floor,
palms and face on the wall
turn'd to look
at the other down the hall.
he is gone!
no mark.
no trace.
the hall has become,
mine
where is this place.........................

ÐIÊN CÁI ÐÂ`U JOE



~ In Your Honor ~

Anonymous

Unselfishly, you left you fathers and your mothers,
You left behind your sisters and your brothers.
Leaving your beloved children and wives,
You put on hold, your dreams—your lives.

On foreign soil, you found yourself planted
To fight for those whose freedom you granted.
Without your sacrifice, their cause would be lost
But you carried onward, no matter the cost.

Many horrors you had endured and seen.
Many faces had haunted your dreams.
You cheered as your enemies littered the ground;
You cried as your brothers fell all around.

When it was over, you all came back home,
Some were left with memories to face all alone;
Some found themselves in the company of friends
As their crosses cast shadows across the land.

Those who survived were forever scarred
Emotionally, physically, permanently marred.
Those who did not now sleep eternally
‘Neath the ground they had given their lives to keep free.

With a hand upon my heart, I feel
The pride and respect; my reverence is revealed
In the tears that now stream down my upturned face
As our flag waves above you, in her glory and grace.

Freedom was the gift that you unselfishly gave
Pain and death was the price that you ultimately paid.
Every day, I give my utmost admiration
To those who had fought to defend our nation.



"THINGS YOU DIDN'T DO"

And she says this:
Remember the day I borrowed your brand new car and I dented it?
I thought you'd kill me,
but you didn't.

And remember the time I dragged you to the beach,
and you said it would rain, and it did?
I thought you'd say, "I told you so."
But you didn't.

Do you remember the time I flirted with all the guys
to make you jealous, and you were?
I thought you'd leave me,
but you didn't.

Do you remember the time I spilled
strawberry pie all over your car rug?
I thought you'd hit me,
but you didn't.

And remember the time I forgot to tell you the dance
was formal and you showed up in jeans?
I thought you'd drop me,
but you didn't.

Yes, there were lots of things you didn't do,
But you put up with me,
and you loved me,
and you protected me.

There were lots of things
I wanted to make up to you when you returned from VietNam.

But you didn't.




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Poetry, Page Eleven
~ Featured Poets ~
Gary Jacobson
Mike Subritzky

If you have an appropriate poem that you would like to contribute, please send it to texastwister@texoma.net
You will be given proper credit, and link to your site if you have one.