I’ve fought up on high mountains,
on dry deserts and on plains.
I’ve fought in dazzling sunshine,
and in snowfalls and in rains.
I’ve fought my way through hedgerows,
and on dozens of distant beaches.
I’ve fought in dark infested swamps,
with their gators, snakes and leeches.
I’ve fought in ice cold foxholes,
when feet were frozen numb.
I’ve fought in stifling jungle heat,
and rice paddy’s stinking scum.
I’ve fought down in dark tunnels.
And in fields laden with flowers.
I’ve been badly wounded in battle,
and lay there alone for hours.
I’ve fought with blind and total fury,
and with gut wrenching fears.
I’ve knelt beside downed comrades,
and I could not hide my tears.
I’ve fought with muskets and with lasers,
and with my helmet and my fists.
I’ve fought hand to hand many times,
those my bullets may have missed.
I’ve fought from behind stone walls,
and from trenches and from tanks.
I’ve paraded in splendid court yards,
as people gave their thanks.
I’ve fought valiantly with honor,
in each fight that I was in.
I’ve asked only for recognition,
for wars they would not let me win.
My name is there on Bunker Hill,
and on the Big Black Wall.
I am your American soldier,
and I still am standing tall.
P.N.
Author notes
God bless our troops
Written October 2nd, 2005
In a list
- Army Supporters group list • next in list
A contest entry
- soldiers rock!!!!! by Soldier933.
300 points, ended December 3, 2005, 19 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Marines ♥ Support Your Troops by Dead Star--x.
450 points, ended May 19, 2007, 23 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Rhyming Prompt Contest ... by ecrivain01.
450 points, ended December 24, 2007, 7 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - 'Images From Around the World' by Cynthia Gaines.
2000 points, ended September 19, 2008, 18 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Veterans Day by Cynthia Gaines.
2000 points, ended November 14, 2008, 27 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Gold rhymed poems only. by ecrivain01.
550 points, ended February 11, 43 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Prewrite Heaven by Heavenly Angel.
700 points, ended March 27, 76 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Lets Celebrate Their Lives by misticmoonlite.
1550 points, ended May 19, 10 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - GoldenYears Group Only by misticmoonlite.
1600 points, ended May 25, 6 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Top Two by ea.
400 points, ended August 3, 26 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Got Your Back (author unknown) by misticmoonlite.
1800 points, ended August 18, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 64 of 64
-
heart wrenching
and felt pain that no one should ever feel. to watch your commrads fall and the other to continue home..Painful I am sure... thank you for your service and
happy that you that made it home, be free of mental anguish
thank you as well for entering
good luck
Linda -
This is very strong and has a universal appeal. The pic is from "The Green Beret", if I recall, and your unit had something to do with its making... You know my brother is Army and fought in the Gulf War; we don't see eye to eye on things too often but there is a need for protection and appreciation for those willing to provide that. Anyway, my patriotic side finds this touching.
-
Suicide In The Trenches
I knew a simple soldier boy
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.
In winter trenches, cowed and glum,
With crumps and lice and lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you'll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go
Siegfried Sassoon -
I have been going back through your poems as i have run out of new things to read and i am glad i did because i missed this absolutely beautiful write from you. Your words in this piece give us an indication of what all the military have to endure, but i am damned sure they will never be able to tell us how you and your comrades felt inside. I think only another serving man could understand your words to the full extent, but i do thank you for sharing this excellent write with us. I love the photo, i think i have seen that before but not sure. I have heard of Bunker hill but i don't know exactly what it is. You and all other fighting men are treasures and not to be forgotten. This is definately bookmarked.
-
I commented earlier ...
-
Gosh this is so clear without the picture, I felt the cold,heat and all the in between,painful to read,as we sit and listen to what is next to come... thank you
for your entry and best wishes to you always
Linda
-
An excellent write.
A very moving piece expressing some of the hardship & heartache endured.
All soldiers and servicemen are worthy of such deep respect.
Thanks for sharing this.
-
Excellent
I have the UTMOST respect for our soldiers; I think they don't get the respect and admiration they RICHLY deserve
This is a fine piece; you more than did the soldiers justice
Thank you for sharing; I wish you all the very best!
-
Truly amazing and well written. The picture matches this perfectly. This whole write was amazing, but the part that touched me the most is
"I’ve fought with blind and total fury,
and with gut wrenching fears.
I’ve knelt beside downed comrades,
and I could not hide my tears."
-
The opening two stanzas here are perfect. I also love the lines, "I’ve fought in ice cold foxholes,/when feet were frozen numb". This is eloquent and very real. Nice to get the insider's point-of-view for once.
-
A beautiful tribute poem to our troops - they are so often forgotten after and its heart breaking - thank you for sharing this and congrats on your shinies
-
An excellent write....
And you shall have it with me my friend. You do get recognition that you and all the others like you have suffered so others like me can live a comfortable life here at home.
I just wanted to say thank you!
Wonderful write you have here. -
Wonderful tribute to all of our soldiers!
Congratulations to you on all of your trophies
and thanks for sharing it here!
Jeremy0826 -
Wonderful tribute to all our men in uniform. Congrats on all your trophies. They were definitely deserved.
-
Wonderful!
This is the first of your poetry that I have read and I must say I was truly impressed! You've captured the essence of the American Soldier from beginning to end. I especially liked: "I’ve fought with blind and total fury,/and with gut wrenching fears./ I’ve knelt beside downed comrades,/ and I could not hide my tears." I feel this paints the image of the soldier perfectly. They fight with all they have, a true dedication, but it as well reveals the much deeper human emotion of the man inside the uniform. Too often our men and women in uniform are taken for granted and not shown the appreciation they so truly deserve. Thank you for sharing this powerful message so beautifully written. I truly enjoyed it!
-
Profoundly Thought-provoking!!
An excellent message to all... with your usual awesome imagery!! 
Thank you for sharing your heart-and-soul-felt poem with all of us!! 
Wishing all the best to you, always. Peace, love & hugs, xx Cyn xx 
-
I read this sometime ago I loved it then and see no reason not to feel the same about it this time around An excellent piece Good luck
-
wow, I just stumbled upon this... and I'm glad.
This is an excellent read, I simply loved it.
-
wow, what an amazingly powerful piece of poetry, you have such a way with words, you can feel the power come off the page, i am in awe, best of luck in the contest
-
Yes dear poet...We need to hear this, wherever we are....A most worthy write from someone who knows! Bless you for writing this!
-
Wow...this gave me chills. You have given a very vivid account of what the horror of war must be like. An excellent write and I reckon another trophy for this one is coming your way Best of luck to you and thank you for sharing this write
-
Thank all of you for your comments.
It says The Soldier. But it's ment for all forces. After all , it takes a team to win. And WE were and are the best team there is.. I do wish i was young enough to be there with you young ones.
God bless you all. -
Wow ... What more can I say .... this was just - so humane, truly, it brought the soldier to life and made him a man - not perfect, but out there, and living life... wonderfully worded ...
-
I think there is nothing better then fighting for what someone believes in, i think a solider is a strong example of that, keep it flowing and congrads on the gold and sliver
-
so moving...xx
-
You know? As a soldier myself I like this and says a few words I can't because of pride. Thanks for showing this and letting us know that we are thought of; even after the fact of war. Too many people really will never know what it is like in the fear of not knowing if the next sound will be their last. Not knowing if their meal will be their last that is even if they get to finish it? I have tried to write about some of my experiences since Panama, if anyone remembers that. How it feels to have the soldier that you just helped fall and there is nothing you could have done? Too watch an eye look at you without a word and yet you knew everything that was going through their mind as they kept staring at you for help long after they quit breathing.
Thanks again my friend as we rememeber from time to time the names on the wall is more than a name but rather a buddy who stood beside us or in front of us -
thank you so much for writing this poem. It's a great work and I enjoyed reading it. Thank you for your support for our military- they deserve it!
-
As a wounded 2-tour Airborne Infantry grunt who served in Vietnam. I thank you for your poem. Veteran's Day draws nigh again and those bonds have never weakened, have turned to steel after all these years.
I share your concerns for the young warriors coming home.
They are in my heart and prayers.
I salute you, my brother.
Mac
-
Wow that is an incredable poem. Thank you for writing such an incredable piece. I have been in the military for almost 8 years. poeam like this mean alot to me. Its an awesome tribute.
-
no words... just applause.
-
My throat is too tight to speak, so it's good that I only have to write. This is beautiful. My friends who are fighting right now and who have fought in the past would be in tears right now if they were to read it.
-
well done !excellent!i felt every wordsas if i was real there... rhank you.. god bless you...
-
wow
wow that was amazing. I love the way you had all the different places, the ways you fought. All the detail was amazing, so real. Great job.
-private j.p.w. -
I think you're wonderful - that's what! Thank you so much for all you have done for our country - in keeping us safe and protecting our dreams. Congratulations on your trophys on this well-deserved piece to remind us your sacrifice! God bless and keep you!
-
Oohrah.
Thank you for this excellent read. It's touching to know someone out there supports us troops. I thank you for being so supportive. Oohrah.
Lance Corporal James McAmis, United States Marine Corps
-
Thank you all
I loved all your comments. and applauds.
Thank you verry much..
And GOD BLESS out troops. -
Such an amazing tribute to those who are fighting now and have fought in the past. A great and moving write
-
This poem is a great tribute to out soldiers, my husband is in the Army, This poem tells about the being a soldier in the harder times, i like the rhyme flow you have used and the wonderful words you speak, congratulations on your trophies and being in the spotlight, they are well deserved, keep writing, ~Amy
-
oh my gods wow. thank you so much for writing that. it means so much to me and the rest of the soldiers, especiall here in iraq, when we read, listen, see something honoring us. of course we just think we are doing our job but all of the support and love is really appreciated. I thank you again with all my heart and soul!
-
Untouchable
This not only sums all that I could hope for up into one succint message, it also makes suense of all of what I could and could not hope for. God only knows what I have seen, and I am glad that I can call those days the past. Beautiful tribute, beuatiful write. You deserve every point and more that gold gave you.
-
Clearly written by one who has witness some of these conditions and situations.Beautifully worded and driven along by fine rhyme A real pleasure to have read and worthy of its place in the spotlight
-
God bless our country and our troops.
Isn't it rice paddy, not patty ?
-
A damned splendid write that really says everything. You had me transfixed throughout the whole piece and. You walked your readers through many wars and battles, and spoke of all the feelings that transpired. There was nothing here that could be changed. Great write. Most definately one of the best i have read in a long time.
-
Excellent!!
Very moving, so good of you to share.
It certainly touches the heart and emotions.
-
I'd like to sincerely thank you for taking the time to enter my contest, 'Images From Around the World' with your outstanding poem for the American Soldier. This touching piece brought me goose-bumps, and a tear to my eye. Judging will be done soon, and I wish the best of luck to you!! Thanks again, and have a great day!!! Take care, Cyn
-
Wonderful
From my uncles that fought in WW2 to friends I knew that served in Korea and Nam I thank you for this fine
piece of poetry. That shame is will the young care come a year from now?
-
Excellent!!!
Excellent tribute to the people in our military---Very well written and abundant in its truthful message & honesty--Well deserving of the award and also deserving of many more!
-
A Heartfelt Poem
Thank you for sending me this poem yesterday. I had to find it and comment. It is so full of your emotions and it touches the heart as one reads it. Bless you for all you did for this country. I know most received little thanks when they returned from Nam. But I thank you and all of those who served in that war. This was such a pleasure to read yesterday on the 4th. You take care.
Bless You,
Sandy
-
I think I'd suggest ...
a change in this line:
in every fight that I was in. (in each fight)
fixes the meter so this is easier to read aloud without stumbling on the rhythm.
-
-
Good suggestion , it does fit. Thanks.
-
-
This is a good poem ...
and it works well this way. Have you read "The Soldier", by Rupert Brooke?
Anyway, there's not much to say about this kind of poem that others haven't already said. Good job.
Thanks for entering and Happy Holidays.
-
very PATRIOTIC! a very flowing poem with an upbeat tone. each stanza is original and creative and doesnt sound forced! vbery good! thanx & good luck!
PrettyX -
-
Think you X, I just hope the people don't turn against our troops this time like they did us in Nam. God bless our troops. Thinks for your comment..
-
-
this is really good. Excellent write. Thank you for entering the contest. I'm sorry it took so long for judging and commenting.
-
Yes i've sent it to a friend over there. They had it up in their hutch.
I also know about rejection I was a Green Beret in Nam.
Thanks for your comment. -
I commend for your respect you are giving to them/us. This also a very comforting thought to those who are unsure if the country supports them or not. It had to be looked down on for doing your job, I know this first hand. Have you ever considered send this to soldier stationed there now. It would mean a geat to them jlo
-
Ragan, there would be no excuse for war if everyone would treat everyone else like they should.. But as long as there is greed, and power hungry people in this world. There will be wars.
Bullies have to be stoped. Thats what the military does. -
I love it. It reminds me of some of Sawyer's war poems, but this one I like. It has a lot of detail in it and I could picture how bad it is on the battle field. I pictured stuff that I never would have known that happen on battle fields. I'm not a big fan of wars and honestly I don't like any branch of the military (no offense to all militery people)because I can't stand the fighting. If everyone would live like God planned, then we wouldn't need the militery. I guess people can't do that and it makes me sad to think that people have to fight each other. That's not anywhere near God's plan. He wants everybody to get along and He doesn't want fighting. I'm sorry if this offeneds anybody, but I don't understand why people have to fight. I don't understand wars, terrorist attacks, the military, or anything like that. I don't understand why we have any of it. People keep trying to tell me, but I still don't understand and I even get into arguments about it and still don't understand. If you can explain it in a way I would understand why we have all of this, please let me know. I don't get any of it. Why do we have wars? Why do we need a military? I do we have to fight our fellow brothers and sisters? Why did we get attacked on 9-11? Why are we in a war right now? These are questions I have that never got answered. If anybody has the answers that I would understand, please, please tell. Help me understand all of this. Like I said before, I'm sorry if this offended any military person out there.
-
Thank you Betty, as you can see , i support our troops, and hope the liberals don't do them like they did us in Nam. And looks like Jane is at it again..
-
Excellent
Excellent poem..Written so well...GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS..KEEP THEM SAFE ..BRING THEM HOME SOON..ALSO GOD BLESS ALL OUR SOLDIERS THAT LOSS THEIR LIVES KEEPING US SAFE..PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS, PLEASE...Heartfelt poem..EXCELLENT
God bless,
Betty -
Thank you for your comment. I have been writing a guy in Afgan, and telling him what to watch for. Being a gorilla i told him what to expect , and what to look for.. He's home now, (Thank God) and all his squad came home safe too. I hope it helped. He's going to try to get into Special Forces now.
I just hope the liberals don't turn the heads of everybody like they did in my war. WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUT TROOPS...
Edited on Oct 03, 6:44 p.m. because ''. -
There is so much patriotism, love and appreciation laced within these lines that it actually put a lump in my throat by the time I was halfway through. People get so caught up in the pros and cons of war that we sometimes overlook the individuals who are out there battling the front lines while we sit in cushy, comfy, secure chairs at home and enjoy the many freedoms they are risking their lives for. I really like this. Good luck in your contest!
♥ Touchof1der -
No matter what unit your in, Army, Marines, Special Forces, etc. When ever you hit the ground where the bullets are flying, your brothers. And my poem is for all of us.
Hope he likes it. And God bless him and them all. -
I love this! And i know my boyfriend would too. It's a great poem. Good luck in the contest!
Adding your comment:
1 - 64 of 64
