"servicemen" poems
Politicians speak about "The Fallen",
Our dear departed servicemen*
Its a nasty euphemism
for the Legion of our dead.
For they did not gently flutter down
like leaves of gold and brown.
They were raked by foes' machines guns
as they fought to take some ground.
They've met slaughter on the beaches,
been slain on distant mountainsides.
They've been sacrificed, quite needlessly,
for some Politicians' pride
Many a mother's heart's been broken
Widows and orphans have been made.
Political Stupidity has dug many a grave.
So don't speak about "the Fallen",
you who haven't borne the fight.
You've never paid the butcher's bill
so what gives you the right?
May 29, 2012
May 29, 2012 at 7:55 AM UTC
I, Too, Sing America (and did so in my diapers!)
by Michael R. Burch
I, too, served my country,
first as a tyke, then as a toddler, later as a rambunctious boy,
growing up on military bases around the world,
making friends only to leave them,
saluting the flag through veils of tears,
time and time again ...
In defense of my country,
I too did my awesome duty –
cursing the Communists,
confronting Them in backyard battles where They slunk around disguised as my sniggling Sisters,
while always demonstrating the immense courage
to start my small life over and over again
whenever Uncle Sam called ...
Building and rebuilding my shattered psyche,
such as it was,
dealing with PTSD (preschool traumatic stress disorder)
without the adornments of medals, ribbons or epaulets,
serving without pay,
following my father’s gruffly barked orders,
however ill-advised ...
A true warrior!
Will you salute me?
I hope my “small” attempt at humor will help readers remember the sacrifices made by the spouses, children and extended families of our valiant servicemen and women. It was not easy making friends only to lose them, time and time again, as I grew up a “military brat” on American air bases around the globe. I really did make sacrifices for my country, while winning every battle against the “communists” in our back yard.
Keywords/Tags: Memorial Day, military brat, service, war, duty, honor, heroism, soldiers, army, navy, air force, marines
May 31, 2021
May 31, 2021 at 2:26 AM UTC
In search of the yet unknown they roam,
Young faces carrying old burdens
They have seen too much.
Man the trenches, takes up arms, pick the nation
Up
Onto your shoulders, for that is what
Soldiers do.
They have seen too much, far beyond tears
His eyes blank, her hands trembling with repressed
Memories of somewhere far away.
He didn't mean to **** though he meant
To do his duty.
She didn't mean to see the bodies, though she meant
To help her brothers.
No man left behind.
The blood felt sticky as it seeped through his uniform,
Carrying a fallen comrade,
Trying not to think of anything but the steps back to
Safety.
When I played Taps it was cold. November 1, because
The veterans all had work on Tuesday the 11th.
My heart and my salute to America's servicemen and women
Poured through my trumpet with as much
Solemnity and remembrance and love as I could muster.
24 notes that reminded me of my great-grandfather's flag,
The picture of my father in his dress whites,
Rows and rows and rows of white crosses at Arlington.
I cried, and I wasn't even ashamed of it.
To all who have served our country
To all who have sacrificed of their minds and bodies
To all who have lost lives and limbs and peace of mind to
Protect us
I salute you.
Nov 11, 2014
Nov 11, 2014 at 11:00 AM UTC
servicemen ingested the wrath, leaching through unsuspecting bodies
in a time capsule it sat in idleness, waiting to affect their aged bodies
no safeguards were in place, the testing went on without accountability
the red dust of the outback irradiated, protective cladding not on bodies
years later cancers were reported, nuclear particles ratcheting up
damaging the organs and bones, in frail manner were their bodies
a mushroom cloud hung low, the aftermath of British testing
the servicemen but lab rats, no one had regard for these bodies
friendly fire came to Australia, back in the nineteen fifties
Maralinga a tragedy in the making, its dire fallout stayed in bodies
Sep 7, 2014
Sep 7, 2014 at 10:27 PM UTC
This time, only my second,
We were nearly alone
Descending gravely
Into a reflection of names
And selves.
(I admit that sometimes
I prefer to walk behind you
In deference – this time, though,
It was to watch your shoulders
Heave forward, your neck tighten,
As you sunk into that space
Only you know.)
We stopped twice:
First to let the loudly curious girl
Behind us pass, our careful gaits
No match for her rapid conquering
War memorial check-off pace,
Then, as we rose back into
The green morning, you brushed
Your right hand as a farewell
Across the polished ebony
And whispered.
Nearby, an ancient couple
Posed with the Three Servicemen,
The two chattering in Vietnamese
And grinning for each other,
The trio of newly uniformed soldiers
Staring off camera at some old atrocity.
And I, offering with pointing fingers
And waving hands and slow English
To take one photo of all of them,
Together, just barely released the shutter
Before the sorrow and loss and unknowing
Came into focus, and I returned to you,
In first tears.
Aug 18, 2010
Aug 18, 2010 at 3:50 PM UTC
returned servicemen and women
have many stories of horror
etched in their heads
their experiences in fields of conflict
never are erased
an indelible mark
is left for a lifetime
post traumatic stress
the nightmares and hell
play in their thoughts
they never leave
the war zone
behind
scars remain
that come to the surface
every now and then
these remnant pieces
telling of the horrors
over and over
again
a soldier departs
the stage of war
yet in his mind's corridors
a ghastliness lingers
within his core
Nov 10, 2014
Nov 10, 2014 at 9:01 PM UTC
American Brave
By Joeysguy
To our brave for over all the years
For you some of us have shed tears.
To you servicemen and women, who served and still serve
I say thank you, which you greatly deserve.
You fight to protect our American way
You put your life on the line everyday.
You protect the colors of our flag
Some of you come home in a body bag.
You protect our flag of stripes and stars
Some of you come home with battle scars.
Included are the people of 9/11 who died
The volunteers, the relatives and the people cried.
I’m sorry to the families of the brave
Their sons and daughters who’s life they gave.
We are Americans of this great country
Again thanks to all the Military.
Aug 10, 2014
Aug 10, 2014 at 10:38 AM UTC
A patriot, a service man
stood proud and let his
American flag fly.
Served his nations
when they called,
distinguished service
and honorably discharged.
A purple heart
with some PTSD,
told his family
the V.A. would
take good care of me.
The president and congressmen
upped the military budget by billions,
and as soon as that passed
went ahead and tried to get
servicemen’s health care cut.
Man, America doesn’t give a ****
about any of us.
Well, he pinched and saved
for most of his days,
struggling to get by.
Worked very hard
to finally start
a business that was
close to his heart.
Every year he barely managed
to make ends meet,
but was grateful to be
in this land of opportunity
where he could support his family
doing what he loved.
A virus closed almost
all of the businesses
in his neighborhood,cont.
so the government
said they would
bailout small businesses like his,
passed a billed
swore the promise
was fulfilled,
but he never saw a cent,
from the federal government,
cause almost all that aid
went to help out
major party donors.
Man, America doesn’t give a ****
about the man who runs
a small business.
One kid grew up
trying to live up
to his parent’s expectations;
Got a fast-food job
while he was in high school,
then worked his way through
to go to a good college.
Four years and student loans
got him out in the world
and on his own.
Got a decent job,
to pay down the debt,
but along the way he
became really sick,
and the health insurance
barely covered a fraction of it.
Now he is drowning
in an ocean of bills,
from disease that may still
**** him,
and his prescriptions
are practically poison.
It’s a cold hard fact
that this country lacks
real human decency.
Should have learned by now,
we are just the fatted cows
that are culled to feed corporate greed.
Man, America doesn’t give a ****
about you or me.
Nov 14, 2020
Nov 14, 2020 at 10:48 AM UTC
Rollin down the street with lil Pauly trollin all the freaks with their Converse conversing on the Servicemen and the suicide rates waiting at the gates for the slow ride to make the left turn at the community estate, I state, its great liven upper middle in the greenest state eating entitlement cake acting like I am vital and any mistake would break the system we bump fists and switch the disk by remote control stroll down the veranda like a Versace panda rockin an ice banana and a Bernie Sanders bandana living breathing socialism planner listen to the police scanner don't have to smoke bammer like Loc in the slammer up in Alabama fresh pajamas flannel and polyester pics of a jester wrestler molesting a waitress successfully doing the Cosby ya'll be callin me insensitive but I'm representative of a nation that don't give a **** --
May 24, 2016
May 24, 2016 at 12:29 PM UTC
Welcome to the new America.
Two hundred forty-some years, and wow!:
A few years of Donald Trump,
And look at what we have here now:
Republicans who once held
American values in high esteem
Parrot Kremlin propaganda,
Giving shape to Putin’s dream.
The president, boldly abusing
The power of pardon multiple times,
Pardons servicemen who
Have been convicted of war crimes.
Though bribery’s a crime by law,
Believe it or not, Republicans say
That when the president commits it,
Breaking the law is--yikes!--okay.
By frequently abusing his power,
The president, who acts like a king,
Plots White House cover-ups
And lies about almost everything.
An adversary becomes our ally;
Former allies become estranged.
The nation is more vulnerable
As priorities are rearranged.
Be a part of the “Me Too” movement,
But be aware of the current dictum:
Accuse someone of ****** assault,
And the perpetrator will be the victim.
Taking advantage of his position,
The president is free to loot
The country for his own enrichment,
And many people don’t give a hoot.
If you are seeking asylum, forget it.
The country now will let you in
If you pass a major requirement:
It all depends on the color of your skin.
Climate change is called a hoax
And regulations are rolled back.
Criticize the president
And find yourself under attack.
White nationalists who are close
To the president help him make
Intolerant policies
That put our rights and freedom at stake.
Now congressional oversight
Is called a witch hunt, a lynching, a coup.
To understand the president's motives,
Just ask, "What would Putin do?"
So welcome…I mean…welcome maybe.
America seems to have a new face--
One to be changed mainly by thoughtful
Attention at the polling place.
-by Bob B (11-19-19)
Nov 19, 2019
Nov 19, 2019 at 9:46 AM UTC
I took my oath without reservation and I swore to defend my nations. Following in the footsteps of family before me. I ask no special treatment, you may never now my name. While you were sleeping one night, I was keeping watch faraway. When danger knocked at the door, I was there to answer the call. To remind the enemies of your freedom that I will defend you even if I fall. Though you and I might not agree or see things the same way. I and my forebears offered our lives to ensure that you may peacefully live as you see fit. So take heart and be of good cheer, for when the threat of danger is near. We will be there to guard the gate and keep our country free.
May 24, 2015
May 24, 2015 at 5:00 PM UTC