The American Warrior

I took a long walk one day

I came across a park bench

The sun was shining

With just the right touch of a breeze

What a day I thought, and sat down

 

I looked down at my hands

I could see the lines of age

And the scars from years of hard work

Weathering my skin

And I thought…

 

What is it that I have really done

My name is not one of fame

Penned in school books

Who will remember me…

What wondrous deeds have I done

 

For a fleeting moment, I sat troubled

How can this be…I have dreams

I have aspirations for my life

So much time has gone by

How can I fix my life

 

Well, I thought about it

And I thought about it

And I realized…I am not broken

There is noting to fix

I have done some wondrous deeds

 

I have experienced the power of love

The cleansing of my soul

The true gift of giving

And receiving only a smile

Or a simple thank you

I have walked out of shadows

Of my former self

And have shed the lies of others

I wore like a second skin

And I have come full circle

 

For the measure of a man

Does not lie in his successes

But in his failures

And it is failure that awakens the soul

And creates necessary change within

Reviews

[J. Hampton]

J. ~
An awesome tribute....and DEEP perspective !!!
Myself...no I don't think Bush is the most savvy President....nor Would I choose many of the Congressman...State Reps...etc..etc...
BUTTTTT....I love my Country and although I would have the Middleast effort handled differently; I will stay in prayer for our troops ((( Because they're there ))) and for the President....because he Is The President.
I always say...((( dosn't do any good to pray fro the one ya don't have....so pray for the one ya do ))
(( these verses run deep))
" Rest easy my friends, while you sleep tonight
For I stand ready, willing to fight "

" Just knowing that you live and die
Under the blanket of freedom That I provide "

Loved this...... great write !!!

Blesssssssssssssss

[Angela]

Ahhh, This poem makes me take deep breaths, soothing ones. You are so correct. The measure of a man lies in his failures and his response to them. Thank you. This goes to my favorites.

[James K. Blaylock]

Wow, what a wonderful tribute to our brave troops. And I wish you good luck on the contest.

[T.k. Sutter]

This is such a deep poem and says it all. I am not a fan of war, but being a history major, I know it is a sad part of life. It is in human nature just as it is for those like you to go off and fight for the freedoms we so desire. I find it funny that so many people can use that freedom to speak up against war and soldiers, and yet do they not realize that were it not your men and women such as you, they would not be able to speak their opinion? My father was a Marine during Vietnam and my brother is in the Navy submarine division. I respect them and only wish I could have joined as well, but I couldn't for reasons I won't explain here. But I've always been supportive of the soldiers who keep me safe and free and always will be.

Thank you for this write.
T.K.

[Charlotte Marie]

Awesome! Beautifully written! My brother's a combat medic in Iraq so I'm sure he would love this!
You should enter this in my contest:

Support Our Troops

[J.mccabe -critique Welc..]

Amen solider!
This is great Sir.
Hats off!
If you would,
Read Dream Of Peace
JMcCabe

[Greg the Bard]

I find your purpose a bit misleading but very forthworth in nature. I say this becasue like Viet Nam this Government and the people of this land are not listening. The true American warrior again stands alone in the field of battle just like I did 45 years ago. I love your poem and am proud of you the American warrior. With everything I own and all my will I support you. I feel I am one of a very few who really care. God Bless you and keep you.

[The Random Writings Of ..]

wow this is amazing. I felt the intensity that is portrayed here. Excellent work!

[Goddess Sophia (filomen..]

spoken like a true warrior .....intense piece.

[V. Lucien Maier]

Excellent and deep.
You have conveyed very well, how you (or the soldier) feels about his job.

[Tamiviolet]

damn. you're intense, but somehow i already knew.

"don't spend your time, worrying for me."...deep, very, very deep.

love your work,
tamiviolet