"Veteran's Day, 2013..."

A Monday's pause of a life memory.

"Semper Fi brothers and sisters, one and all."  Welcome home and thanks for being there.

"Veteran's Day, 2013..."

I hope you have warmth and sun 

where you are... 

here the winter's chill is near,

setting in for the season -

yet another reason

to look within

while outside IS a melancholy grin

of thought-full ...pause. 

The tree's colors are on the ground 

and fading into crumpled and crackling fodder -

next season's feeding

for todays' tomorrows.

Somehow that's right

in the manner of things.

the way and the plan - of things

The failings and fadings of realities

...of things.

The air is brisk

yet enveloped with the scents

and sense

of old and lost and new

life soon to be swept away

and along.

The taste of changes

already seen and the scenes

of yet-to-come

but known to be for the real

is always a breath

- not so very deep afterall -

away.

I don't suffer the grays

and the chill is too adept

at finding its ways

within and around

and yet

the silence is the key

to me.

It's heavy 

and thick with meaning -

a stew blending existence

with life seasoned by the memories

and wishes found and lost within.

There are windows - inside...

time encrusted

and heart trusted,

and fingertips and nails

trails grooved DEEP in the glass

panes and pains etched to the last

frames and frame of life's lost

and friends missing and missed.

There be places -

inside and 

so far beyond MERE real

...places where knees knelt

and tears found their home

...places where sunlight

burnt the walls black

...places where there were no hopes left over

as all the candles guttered and guttered

in their ruby glass

...places that come round again

and again in our days darkness

and our night's grasp.

Places where only God walked

and the rest of us crawled

amid the cries and crys

and our footprints faded into nothing...

You don't always know

you give your tomorrows too

when you live your yesterdays.

But, sometimes there wouldn't

be a tomorrow

but for someone's yesterday - ya know?

Chris

Author's Note

feel free

It's not always about war and death - few join with that thought in mind... it's about being there and helping, protecting those you care about. Serving as and when and where you are needed. Marines are in Tacloban, Philippines today helping as they can... it IS what our people do... help as they can.

Reviews

[Baby Ricochet]

A lot of civilians don't understand our motivation for joining. I didn't think much about IED'S, snipers, mortar rounds or RPG crews when I joined up. I wanted out of the crappy little town I was born in.
In that place my options were flipping burgers, pounding nails or selling crack. F**k that. Thank you for your service Marine. Semper Fi

[Chris]

I saw the WORLD! Walked where people today are green with envy. I walked places that no longer exist but for old and fading photographs that even digitizing didn't always save. I touched countless people in so many places and ways that even on a good day I can't begin to express the myriad feelings inside me. I learned what I could accomplish (a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g), learned what I could do
(e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g). I found self pride, confidence, friendship, and a personal sense of values that stands well today. We earn our nightmares but I would rather have them than not have been where I was needed along the way. Semper Fi Mark.

[Baby Ricochet]

That's a beautiful way of putting it Chris. I don't regret my service to the Corps. S**t happened I seriously wish hadn't but I've learned I had no control over it. (That realization took awhile) When I first started posting on the WC I had ideas about telling my story but it didn't take me to long to figure out writing funny was a hell of a lot more fun. You're right about the earning our nightmares. There's s**t inside me that's never gonna go away and it shouldn't. Some things should never be forgotten

[Chris]

You did good Mark... I buried one that didn't do as good as you, a sniper that got out as a Corporal. And maybe I was around enough that a few more hung around too - til their nightmares weren't as bad anymore... I hope I helped. Tried.

[Chris]

Missing friends...ya know?

[Baby Ricochet]

Yeah. I know

[ur_ginger_girl]

this is really good. I admit I don't understand most of your poetry and stuff, but this one I did and its really good.

[Chris]

H'lo, I'm glad this one worked for you and hope you will find others of mine that you like too.

[unbrakable fragile gir..]

very good read takes you in to see all the imagery ,a strong pice I want to read more . It shows that its not just about war but about something deeper . great job .

[jane7z]

This is powerful! Made me want to cry. Every sense is represented in your imagery. Loved second stanza trees colors on the ground. Idea of sacrifice and honoring others woven through your piece

[Chris]

Thank you... ghosts surround us all our lives and sometimes we both see and hear them.

[Cryingkate]

Wow Chris, You said just enough to grasp so much more, where you could of said more and didn't I heard it loud and clear.
The rhythm marched the words home.
Well Done !

[Mark]

ya, without someone's yesterday. God walking where we crawl, sun burning black. I live here somewhere.

[Chris]

Thanks for pausing Mark...

[Lyn Anderson]

Beautiful poem. I hate the mentality that people who are pro soldier are pro war. Such a simplistic way of thinking. Wonderful words. Would you do me the honour of reading my poem Remember When? I love to hear another person's view on that poem. Thank you for sharing.

[Chris]

I would be glad to...

[Tom]

A sterling tribute to all servicemen and women, its much more than 'just' fighting a war !

Splendid Chris, you came at Veterans day from a different angle and I applaud how creatively you did that !!

[Chris]

Nice of you to stop by Tom...Thanks man.

[Dhaye]

As a Filipino, I was so deeply moved by this piece. Every now and then, the news... on tv, radio, internet, newspaper....they have the same faces- death. Who wouldn't weep with that? Even here in this site, there's a downpour of care and concern from different people I don't know. I'm so grateful. Simple statement/question of "how are you there?" or "I hope you're fine there in the Philippines"...I was so touched.

Thank you so much for all of those who have given their hearts and opened their arms for us. We won't forget you. From all the Filipinos and our dear Philippines, SALAMAT!

[Michael X]

I find the formula to be brilliant and defined, any suggestions you give me work will always be intently noted, beautiful flow, it really gives me chills.

[Chris]

The best thought I can pass on is, be real and be yourself. Pay attention to the details. Read your own work SLOWLY and out loud - three times - all the way through BEFORE you ever post it and after posted do it again to make sure the site software didn't change something.

[Michael X]

Words of wisdom.

[Michael X]

I must read this twice. Here we go.