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

[Darryl Salach]

it's ok but I'm not a fan of Uncle Sam and apple pie very much these days.

[Dark Water]

Done before, but still a very good piece of work.

[Dave]

Oooo...nice. I didnt even notice that removing the word would work well too.
Nice job!

[Dave]

Ah yes, America...the land of the free, because of the brave.

Your words were chosen excellently. I did see one thing though,

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

I dunno, just having a capitalized word in there seemed odd and I thought. I dont think it would have taken away from the poem or distrupted its flow if it had a break in there.

But this is one of the best ode to a soldier writes I've read.
Thanks for sharing.

[Deep in the Woodline...]

As a veteran with service-connected disabilities, I appreciate this. It is the embodiment of sentiments that most of those I served with held. Soldiers don't start wars. If anyone on earth wants to avoid wars, it's the soldiers who see its waste and destruction first-hand. No one wins, really, just one side has greater losses than the other. Much of my writing is based in my experiences as a soldier. Hope you find time to read some if it.

[* Mourning Starr *]

This was beautifully written, a great tribute to our soilders, the great men and woman who defend country and our right to be free, my son will soon join thier ranks he will be leaving for bootcamp in october serving proudly in the United States Army National Guard, thank you for writing this.....excellent work..

[Erotic Goddess]

I adore this! More that I can ever tell you! I am goint to share this with a friend whose husband is off fighting this war. She will appreciate it more than you can imagine. I loved the way you wrote it and the beauty that you put in it. We do trust in our troops because they are our husbands, brothers, sons, fathers, and friends. How can we not support them even if the cause is not one we agree with. They give so much every day for each of us. Thank you again for sharing this!

[Crap!]

Great- Grand-daddy was a Civil war heroe. Daddy fought in World War 2 and recieved a ruptured duck at Normandy beach. Brother fought in Viet- Nam, another brother in the 82nd Airborne. I can appreciate the sentiment. Especially when they come home and get treated like dirt because they went where their country sent them.But, then, Great - Grand -daddy was flying the stars and bars, not old glory,he still took a bullet in the head and one in the throat and lived another 50 years or I wouldn't be here. The fighting men and women deserve all our respect!

[Leah Simone]

Great tribute to an underappreciated group of citizens. Thank you for this - Leah

[Butch Mcpeterson ( I Ca..]

Awesome....
This was a beautiful poem..... two of my best friends recently joined the service so this subject hits me harder than it ever has before.... I loved this poem though I think every American should read this poem, especially the pieces of crap that go around the country picketting at soldiers funerals, more people need to realize the sacrifice that is made every day so that they have the right to sit on their obese behinds and watch tv all day.... again I must say beautiful write and I look forward to reading more of your stuff.

Your pal,
Butch.