we all know them now as warriors;
they were brave and strong and instead of
weeping in the shadows, they
rose higher with the wings that heaven itself gave them.
it was one of the darkest periods in human history
and yet they still held themselves together
and never gave up no matter what
obstacle got stuck in their path
and although most may not be here today,
we are to bless them like the moon
blesses the sun when it sets into
the newly lit night sky
for they are the reason why the war
ended in the first place.
they are the ones who wouldn't allow
bullets to be thrown at them without a fight,
and for those reasons,
we shall forever be thankful.

i said i love you
not because you
said it first
my first love
was a bright girl
who dreamt of
meeting new
sunshines
before she slept
in a hearse

my first love
will live within my
thoughts
even when i am
on my death bed
as my children
search for a suit
that will fit well
on my tired corpse

my first love
captured my heart
at sixteen
puppy love
that, then, felt
like the sweetest
dream

my father told me
you will forget your
first love
like you forget a daydream
but how can this be a
thought in the wind
when it stays in my mind
like a chubby child who enters a
candy store
can't get rid of his grin

- t.m