Remember Our POW/MIA
Poetry Written By and For Veterans
          Poetry Written By and For Veterans
          By Art Glennon ~ USMC





          We stood on that mountain a lifetime ago,
          and looked at the lights of Danang.
          We prayed that our "number" would not come up,
          as "Here comes the sun" we sang.

          We searched for the morning's due sunrise,
          and yearned for the light of the day.
          While praying God wouldn't forget us,
          like so many "forgotten" that way.

          Each night had it's own dark foreboding,
          such terror entwined with dread.
          It ripped the heart right out of your soul,
          that the morning might find you dead.

          So we clung to each other like children,
          we men, so grown-up, mature.
          And 'till this day, we remember that way,
          and to hell with them finding a cure.

          For why should I cure me of Friendship,
          shared with others while staring at death.
          It's embedded so deep, to the souls of my feet,
          and it stretches life's length and it's breadth.

          Art Glennon
          USMC 67-71 ~ Danang 69




          In a gunship on a moonlit night,
          in a war he didn't want,
          he earned the medals given him,
          that he's not proud to flaunt.

          In a time and place, a world away,
          he learned of trial and strife,
          such lessons never taught to him,
          by his American life.

          On jungled mountains, and river ways,
          with ambush in every turn,
          he carried on his freedom's fight,
          that all the world might learn.

          In a war(?) restrained by civil rule,
          Geneva and all the rest,
          his enemy, unchecked by this,
          put him sorely to the test.

          So give him credit, for doing his part,
          to help your world be free,
          'Cause win or lose, he did it all,
          for folks like you and me.

          Art Glennon
          USMC 67-71 Danang 69




          I served the Corps in Vietnam,
          my tour of duty done.
          In all, four years I gave the Corps,
          with heart and soul and gun.

          Today is Thirty years later,
          and I still say "Semper Fi",
          It's true what the D.I. said way back when,
          "MARINE UNTIL YOU DIE".

          So if it's Danang, or Guadal Canal,
          Beruit, or Tripoli,
          You're part of the best, there ever was,
          In the Air, on Land, or Sea.

          Marine of today, or tomorrow,
          Don't ever forget yesterday,
          Remember the Corps' proud heritage,
          The Marine Corps' firm strong way.

          And Marine of today, or tomorrow,
          Don't forget us, the ones of the past.
          We gave to your long strong heritage,
          which spans the globe so vast.




          I wrote this someplace, I forget where, but I'd just watched some people expaining in Vietnamese why they were leaving "EVERYTHING" behind and running through our column to the area behind us.

          Have you spoken to a refugee?
          about the strife he's left behind?
          Have you spoken to a terrified man,
          and tried to ease his mind?

          Have you lived your life so pampered,
          that you've forgotten the world afar?
          Could you fight to defend the ones you love,
          from the back seat of your car?

          The world's a place of survival,
          and only the strong shall stand.
          The world's so lonely for folks like us,
          protected in our land.

          We've fought for freedom so many times,
          but never unprovoked,
          For Freedom's Flame to burn on still,
          we must keep that fire stoked.

          Art Glennon




          We fought four sides, we troubled youths,
          caught up in war's abyss.
          Enemy, homefront, selves, and rules,
          Bullets that wouldn't miss.

          We fought the dark and endless night,
          we'd started for flag unfurled.
          We thought our mission, begining, was right,
          and dreamed of our lives in the world.

          We watched our country's throes of rage,
          divided, it's course t'ward defeat.
          Trapped, we struggled, to stay alive,
          now we try to prevent it's repeat.

          We question those in power more,
          Our children are in it this time.
          And I'll be there full of questions for sure,
          Because one of those children is mine!!!

          Art Glennon
          USMC 67-71



          Table of Contents
          Poetry, Page One ] Poetry, Page Two
          Poetry, Page Three ] Poetry, Page Four
          Poetry, Page Five ] Poetry, Page Six
          Poetry, Page Seven ] Poetry, Page Eight
          Poetry, Page Nine ] Poetry, Page Ten
          ~ Featured Poets ~
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