A real war story

Written straight through, unedited with no syllable count.

There's talk about the price of war
From folks who never fought one
Seeing as how I was deployed
Let me tell ya bout the fun

You think about food all the time
Your feet are always sore
Who's got dip or cigarettes
or a girlie mag to score

You're always filthy dirty
Water's in short supply
Sand storms come from nowhere
out of the scorching desert sky

supply's a constant problem
We never had enough
Ammo diesel equipment oil
decent chow and such

Batteries were precious
So were razor blades
and may heaven help you
if you ever lost your shades

sand got into everything
you never got much sleep
Up in the early morning hours
for the road side bomber sweep

The threat of death was constant
you just got used to it
somewhere in the back of you head
you thought "this could be it"

you saw horribly mangled bodies
sometimes they were your guys
The worst of it was IED'S
When flesh and metal fried

Vehicle and human remains
got fused into one
In a stinking burning cauldron
I'd wish upon no one

Hajji you couldn't trust them
No matter what they said
Most were up against the wall
Trying not to end up dead

The Sunnis were the worst one's
Violence was their creed
Half of them were criminals
feeding their own greed

They didn't care who they killed
as long as blood was shed
Army Marine local folk
Lots of bodies maimed and dead

Airstrikes were the boogie man
What Hajji feared the most
With an Apache flying up his a*s
Hajji turned into a ghost

Shot up kids could get to you
The women could be crazy brave
Pulling wounded from gun fire
Sometimes their lives they gave

Fire fights were crack addicting
Not as terrifying as you'd think
It was the IED'S and snipers
who pushed you to the brink

The thrill of battle was incredible
Adrenaline like none other
non stop car wreck roller coaster
Sweet dreams for a corps gunner

The Comaraderie we shared together
I'd not known before or since
The boot prints left upon my soul
The corps left it's imprints

When your buddies were killed and maimed
It tore your heart to pieces
You could be next if you got careless
So you couldn't fall to pieces

It was the adventure of my life time
Nothing else compares
Through all the horror and the violence
oh I got my share

War is a horrible intervention
the worst form of attack
as crazy as it sounds to some
part of me wants to go back

I'm no blood crazed warrior
and war is not my dream
but no matter where I go in life
I'll always be a Marine

Author's Note

Well, that's the story

Reviews

[Priscilla Sayers]

An absolutely Soul write my fellow Poet! Such intensity rises and builds within this piece I can feel the journey and taste the sorrow....
Brilliant.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Priscilla

[icelandicblue]

All I can say is thank you for what you have done and what you have endured. Your poem is powerful and I am deeply moved by it.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Blue

[TL Boehm]

The boot prints left upon my soul

that line pretty much did it for me. A stellar poem. I don't think I've said this to you but "Thank you for your service" Because of men and women like you and your sacrifice - I am here. You have my deep respect.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you TL

[Mark]

Ya. From the heart my friend. I can understand wanting to go back. Purpose. Staying alive , trying to keep your buddies alive, kicking a*s. Great write my friend.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you mark

[Marie]

Baby R., I know you'll always be a Marine.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Marie

[Rita L. Sev]

I have a feeling that this one has been wanting to flow from your soul for a while, and you put it down flawlessly. Poetry is meant to evoke emotion - and boy, did this do it for me. Thank you for sharing.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you for reading Rita

[sanya]

this was awesome love it.........................

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you sanya

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you for sharing because I absolutely do not want to know for myself. This is a brilliant piece in its honesty, vulnerability and strength. No bells or whistles are needed. And to take a note from my friend Steve below-- Fan-f****n'-tastic.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you pryde

[Nia Hope]

Amazing poem I never really understood everything that becomes parts of you after being involved with war. As I said amazing as usual :)

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Ankara

[SteveB]

Out f*****g standing.

It is easy for those who have never smelled death to think it a wonderful adventure. You illiustrated the truth perfectly and in a fine style. The funny thing is that reading this it almost seemed to have a Kipling bounce to it which fits the area but far from the mood.

On a seperate note, thank you to the bell hops. They may be overrated as fighting men but they did make the Guam look pretty when we sailed into port.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Steve