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Homage
Comments please, I'm sorry its so long, but it has an important message.
HOMAGE
At the Legion here in town I’d often stop to have a beer
And listen to the stories of the Vets who’d bend my ear
In the corner sat the old boy, all alone across the room
Surrounded by an aura of a dark impending gloom
Always short of money for his pension wasn’t much
So he readily accepted any drafts I offered up
For a beer he just might open up and deep emotion grace his face
As he’d share a bit of history of a God forsaken place
He drank to drown the noises and the conflicts in his head
It helped to block the memories of the wounded and the dead
Liquid Courage as he called it, numbed his body from the pain
And the memories of those fallen who he would never see again
Most his life was kept a secret. He rarely offered up his past
But sometimes he’d tell a little at the bottom of a glass
So I’d listen quite intently to the stories that he told
Of his exploits with his comrades who were brazen brave and bold.
He would talk about the battles and the Ugliness of war
And how he owed his own life to his brothers in the Corps
They had his back through all the battles, there beside him in the mud
And when the fights were over it was they that spilled their blood
Some of them were wounded, many others lost their lives
Trying to keep each other safe so they could go home to their wives
“Heroes, every one of them”, that’s what the Old Boy said
Tears of respect would grace his face as he talked about the dead
He kept me captivated with the stories that he’d tell
Of the good old boys that joined him as they pushed their way through Hell
I looked forward to our visits, for I learned about the war
Absorbing every word he spoke and begging him for more
Then one day I didn’t see him and I asked the Waitress why
As she told me of his passing she couldn’t help but cry.
She said, he left me something and she reached behind the bar
For a set of his old dog tags, a Purple Heart and Silver Star
She said, “He said, “You understand, what happens in a War”
And you might see the value as to what these gifts were for
That’s when my tears began to fall for it’s true I understand
The soldier I shared beers with was a very special man
And now this World’s a little poorer for that old boy died today
Like so many of his brothers He just quietly slipped away
Nothing in the paper no big story on T.V.
Just a notice at the Legion that said he was finally free
Frankly I don’t get it, no honor, homage or no praise
This whole country should be mourning, for a hero died today.
It should be touted in the papers, on the news and radio
That another Soldier passed away who loved his country so
That He once wrote a blank check and he signed it with his life
Offering his service regardless of the strife
He wrote it to a country who forgot he ever lived
Who forgot the gift of freedom that he fought so hard to give.
Just once I’d like to see it, a Nation swelled with pride
Who would offer up a homage when an ageing soldier died
Just a little tribute, for he offered up his all
Show a little bit of reverence at his final curtain call
I’d like to see the headlines read, “This Country’s at a loss
For today we lost a soldier who helped pay for Freedom’s cost.”
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Birgitta Abimbola Heikka on
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Great poem. You should have titled it "Ballad to a Fallen Warrior" or something of that nature. It is a very good poem to read. You must be a soldier or related to one because I can see your passion in the poem. It came out very real. Soldiers do not start wars but sacrifice their lives and some very voluntarily. Loved the HOMAGE.
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Permalink Reply by Kylie Ferrell on
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Daniel~ This is a very beautiful poem and tribute to not only this man but all men and women who sacrifice their lives for our country. Good verse and smooth flow, and I like Birgitta's suggestion for the title. Well done!
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Permalink Reply by FELISHA FRANCIS on
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great poem...i love it!
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Permalink Reply by daniel Taylor on
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Thank You Kylie for your comments. It is refreshing to know there are people like you and Birgitta that recognize
our soldiers sacrifice, all to often they are taken for granted.
Kylie Ferrell said:Daniel~ This is a very beautiful poem and tribute to not only this man but all men and women who sacrifice their lives for our country. Good verse and smooth flow, and I like Birgitta's suggestion for the title. Well done!
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Thank you Felisha, you are most kind.
FELISHA FRANCIS said:great poem...i love it!
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Thank you for your kind words Birgitta, I am glad you enjoyed it. Yes I was in the Military years ago. I work with a lot of Veterans and I see their struggles everyday and I think we take so much for granted as Free Americans. If it were not for these young people we would not have the life style that is unique to the United States. We are Truly blessed. Take Care
Birgitta Abimbola Heikka said:Great poem. You should have titled it "Ballad to a Fallen Warrior" or something of that nature. It is a very good poem to read. You must be a soldier or related to one because I can see your passion in the poem. It came out very real. Soldiers do not start wars but sacrifice their lives and some very voluntarily. Loved the HOMAGE.
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Permalink Reply by J. Helen Elza on
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Daniel,
Bravo! Bravo! I agree with the sentiments that you express so beautifully in this poem. It is a sad reflection on America that every movie star or athlete or politician or anyone with a claim to fame gets headlines, tearful biographies that are played and replayed endlessly while our hero military vets don't even get mentioned.
Fear not, there are hundreds of thousands of us who do remember, who do cherish our military and the sacrifices they made so that we can enjoy our freedom. I would be pleased if you would be my friend.
May God bless them everyone
https://twitter.com/#!/jhelenelza
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Pat, Thank you so much for your comments. I don't get back to this site enough, so I just today, am seeing your comment about "HOMAGE". You are very kind and oh so right. To be remembered is all so many of them ask and yet so many are forgotten. When war is not at our doorstep or doesn't affect us we tend to forget how we are blessed, God Bless those that fought, those that fell and those that fight on. We are a the Home of the Free because we are the Home of the Brave. You asked that I be your friend, I would like that. Thanks again
Pat Garrett Miller said:Daniel,
Bravo! Bravo! I agree with the sentiments that you express so beautifully in this poem. It is a sad reflection on America that every movie star or athlete or politician or anyone with a claim to fame gets headlines, tearful biographies that are played and replayed endlessly while our hero military vets don't even get mentioned.
Fear not, there are hundreds of thousands of us who do remember, who do cherish our military and the sacrifices they made so that we can enjoy our freedom. I would be pleased if you would be my friend.
May God bless them everyone
https://twitter.com/#!/jhelenelza
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