The Soldier

Trained to fight
to devastate, to kill
wrong or right
perform governments will

so naive and young
pimply faced and crew cut
many anthems sung
about drill sargeants scuttlebutt

once a young child
who laughed and played
those memories now tiled
with the lives you've slayed

hardened to the core
you've been trained so well
life has been a constant war
mental battlefields of hell

the war is done
you lived another day
your team won
or did it, who's to say

returning to society
whom you fought so hard to protect
slapped with reality
as you get no respect........


dedicated to all soldiers everywhere, who have left thier families to do what they think is right, any man/woman who fights for what they believe in thier heart to be true should be respected. The haunting memories of war have driven many to suicide, homelessness, and even mental agony. A child doesn't come into this world to go to war, we teach them, train them, and in the end we bury them, may GOD forgive us....Bob

I'm totally in support of our troops even if I do not agree with War.................... the way I feel is.........

That is very true. My nephew is in Afghanistan now, he joined the Marines AFTER 9/11. He knew what was happening and decided to stand up for what he believes in. I can't say that for many people.

For every foul word to our troops there are thousands more to support them.

God bless them all, bless their families and friends, for we all are affected.

Brilliant write. For all who feel this is NOT supportive, oh do please walk away, chill out, then come back and read again with a broadened view.

poetry is like art, everyone sees something different, it's what makes it unique and fascinating, I truly thank everyone for their objective opinions. Do I support war, hell no, do I support soldiers, my brother died in Nam, what do you think? I support anyone who is willing to walk into hell for what they deem a heavenly cause. Do I support those who send them there while lounging in front of their fireplaces within their mansions to protect their material possessions, hell no. Do I support soldiers protecting freedom and liberty as it was originally meant to be protected, hell yes, but as Malcolm X so profoundly stated, we've been bamboozled, hoodwinked, etc. into believing that all war is just, it just isn't so, but I enjoy, truly I do, those who support their fellow man, I do have one question though, and you can email me your answer as I don't wish to turn this into a debate within this forum. When you pray for the american soldiers and their safety, do you also pray for the families and soldiers of the alleged enemy and all those people who died and had nothing at all to do with the conflict to begin with?........

Well I hope no one took my post the wrong way for I do understand what is being said here I do support our troops to the fullest do I support war nooooooooooo sorry too many die from it. But I support what our troops do and their reasons for doing so.

My nephew just got out of the Marines after doing a tour in Iraq we just had a welcome home party for him yesterday. My dad served during the Korean War and was very proud of being in the Military.

I only have the highest respect for those that serve this country just hate it that this is and option they must make.......

By the way good write.......

No, TexasLily, I did not, I know you better than that.

Wow, huckleberry, talk about food for thought!

Just War?

Just a prayer
It started out,
Hold my men,please,
My heart screams and shouts.

In the letters received,
The war 's on their door.
Mom, there are children
Mother's tears by the score.

They are still reeling,
Though it's been years.
Moms just like you,
Pray for their fears.

I am impressed
At the heart of my boys.
Just a prayer for these families
That they could find joy.

Raine Les 10/5/2009

I have two Marines, serving.