Billy fought in many wars
in many lands, on many shores
To him there never was a doubt
to answer when the call went out
The first time he was just sixteen
nort but a kid,so proud,so keen
They cheered him as he marched away
a hero, but for just that day
Before to long he understood
the smell of death,the taste of blood
Discovered that it was the truth
that war has ways to banish youth
Another lesson Billy learned
that once the soldier boy returned
In war,they all loved GI Joe
In peace they didn't want to know
Yet still he never lost his pride
or forgot the ones who died
And if the threat should reappear
then once again he’d volunteer
For Billy was a million men
who marched to war and back again
Yet always to their nations shame
they rarely granted him acclaim
Just once a year they give a day
to put this hero on display
When streets are lined with clapping hands
and waving flags to greet the bands
With battered body stiff with pride
and courage buried deep inside
He'd proudly marched in the parade
with phantoms of his old brigade
Yet when the ticker tape is cleared
and the crowd has disappeared
Billy will return once more
to fight his own demented war
It grieves me so,to know that he
lives not a life of luxury
For all he gave so we could be
wrapped in a flag of liberty
In war they all loved GI Joe
in peace they didn’t want to know
..
Author notes
For all who went
Written December 21st, 2005
A contest entry
- Family Laments On All Wars Contest of ( past and present ) by misticmoonlite.
500 points, ended December 28, 2005, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - in memory of those who served and fell and those who survived by camo.egg.army.gurl.
1800 points, ended June 9, 46 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 30 of 30
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A wonderful, and moving write.
So much emotion expressed in this piece.
Beautifully penned brilliance.
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breathless
thankfully i live in a small town where everyone pretty much either served their time or have friends or family that did. so us veterans are welcomed anywhere with open arms not saying that they dont necessarily agree withthe war just appreciate our service that 1% of the population is willing to do. i was part of the honor/security guard at a soldier's funeral and some of the locals held a protest rally nearby that unless you were standing next to the preacher you couldnt hear over their protests.
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my grandaughter's friend has just been sent over ... he's so afraid and so are we. I have no love of war or respect for the government ... as for the army they made many promises and have not kept any. I do feel pity for the men who try to serve and get spit upon if they do return.
Your poem has a very good rhyme and flow. Very well written. Thank you for entering. -
The Sacrifices
the men and women made throughout history has sometimes only been equalled by the country's unwillingness to ignore and acknowledge them. This is most unfortunate.
Your poem is simplly a masterpiece. Thanks and Good Luck in the Contest
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My hat's off you my friend for a powerful verse that moves more than patriotism, but the heart and soul. Brilliant writing as you always do. LOVED this. ~Pam
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WONDERFUL POEM
Wow!!, Another magnificent poem by the Legend. Your talent is amazing. Your rhyme is fantastic. What more can I say except this was a beautiful emotional write. I have a very young grandson in the Army and keep praying he won't be sent into harms way. Thank you for this wonderful write honoring all the military, in your counrty and ours. Patriotism and bravery knows no boundaries. Thank you for sharing. Take care, Sandy -
So many gave so much and recieved so little. This is a reminder we all need from time to time. A wake up call you might say!!. Boy do we need wakening. The way society is today it makes me ask just one question..."why".....hugs..mal
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Extraordinary!
This is Truth -- absolute and real! Someone here mentioned Kipling -- hism "Last of The Light Brigade" is "Must" reading as to how we treat our heroes!
Legent -- this is the first of yours that I have read but, based on the strength of this one, I will be reading others! -
aint that the truth.
or, as Rudyard kipling put it;
"'tis Tommy this, and Tommy that, and chuck 'im out, the brute,
but, it's 'savior of his country' when the guns begin to shoot". -
A most beautiful and awesome write, my friend! You told this story so well and it touches my soul as my Dad and uncles fought in the wars! Very well done! May we all know peace someday and may it come soon! Love and hugs, Sandy
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outstanding...!!!
Wow legend...this is beautiful and I cant help see your talent rise beyond the story you so dashingly display.....its a beautiful and the truth of glory it portrays just makes my mouth drop.......Ive always love reading your work....and this my friend is absolutely astonishing......I entranced myself till the very last word.....leaving me with thoughts ive felt posted here in this very same contest......I applaud you...
Malabu -
This is a great poem! It reminds mee of stories that my grandmother told me of the war she went through.
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Wow Another fantastic write from you my friend. I love how much heart you put into these piece's how they flow pefect and are just so powerful. I thank you for sharing this with us my friend and excelent write.
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WOW, what a great emotion filled piece! Im sure it is as hard to write such things as it is for us to read it,but you bring all your work to life for the reader and that is a great thing!
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Yep, been there, done that. Except there wasn't any war when I was in. Oh, we had the Iran Hostage Crisis, got deployed to the Western Pacific, but never made it to the Persian Gulf. It had to be the most boring time in military history, which is really a good thing, but we had Mount St. Helens to make up for it. Still, I had scads more people try to rip me off and take advantage of me than ever thanked me for my service.
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In my country war veterans aren't really recognized. They aren't given anything. The same is true for some of my country's sportsmen and sportswomen.
When people have given thier very lives, and made sacrifices we will never understand, and had thier lives irrevocably changed by pain, death, fear, and other exeriences they deserve more than just a parade. At least I think so. And I believe I caught this in your poem as well.
I believe that they ought to be given something more! Money maybe, but moreso, a chance to really be recognized. Let them go to schools and tell our youngsters about the effects of violence, and also about the effects of bravery and virtue and courage. Let them teach us what determination truly is. And let them live on... you know?
What made Napoleon a great war general was that he fought at the head of his army. We need the true heads of our nations to fight at the head of the armies of young people trying to make a difference.
Once again, a matchless write Legend, flawless in form and worthwhile in theme!
Marissa. -
wonderful!!!
You have done a wonderful Job on this, Legend and the flow and rhyme only adds to its greatness......I continue to be amazed by your work!....Lynda
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How true and sad, that all those who go away to war..if they do return are haunted by their own battles they have to face. This touches the heart..and even though I am against war and find it senseless to see these men go leaving their families, they are all truly brave hearts!
Take care~ -
Beautiful...Would you kill me if i prometed it?
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Your empathy is showing again and not without a good cause.
You have excelled yourself with this insightful and respectful poem.
Von -
this gave me goosebumps-i have a lot of pride in my grandparents service to our country-and i feel lucky for the freedom i have as a result-i have a german grandfather that i never knew as well and am sad that i never got to meet -he would have been just a boy doing what he was told...tremendously moving poem...lest we forget x
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oops sory got carried away forgot to say--
shaz xx lol
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LEGEND
THIS IS TRULY AMAZING! a most brilliant piece of work if ever i saw one---once again the flow and rhyme are perfect and the content is true to every word! and also a sad reminder that any soldier going off to fight a war only comes home to fight his own war! and thats if he's lucky enough to come home. Exellent poetry here!. Well done
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This was so chilling and accurate my friend. Just cuts too deep into personal knowledge.
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Legend first off I thank all for what they have done and
what some will join and do, These words of truth are striking
with each line, One can not help but nod as they read along in agreement of each verse,
Each of them deserve so much more but cease to receive it
Thank you for writing such a display of truths.
And many blessings your way. And as always Godspeed.
FrozenTears -
SUPERB
Legend ... I salute you and applaud you ... You have rendered here a truly remarkable poem. It has overtones of sadness but it also has a wonderful sense of pride. Proud men who can still stand tall and look the world in the eye. Brave men who fear nought.
I am most impressed with the content, rhyme and flow.
Best wishes for the contest.
Take care, and have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Sammy -
A beautiful poem, but with a kind of sadness in it as well. It's like you said, those old people who once fought in the war can only be proud of it when people cheer them for their courage once a year. At such moments, they can be glad that they have given so much for their country, but normally they rather not know who GI Joe was. Very well done Legend. You captured the thought of so many people so well. Anna.
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wow i like this a lot. it's a wonderful poem with lots of meaning to it. great job!
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This is just phenomenial! You cheered his faithfulnes to his country and recognized the lack of honor that was due him when he would return. Very moving. I really hope this places-it is definitely worthy.~ vj
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Legend, this is a wonderful addition to our contest, very nice rhyme flow.. you never fail to amaze me in your ability to go
the whole distant, thank you for posting this here and good luck in the contest..
Linda
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