why i do what i do
lately it seems
like I'm crying everyone tears
shit's finally catching up to me
from the last several years
I'm not really sure
what the fuck's going on
all i know
is i have no choice but to stay strong
hard times in life
go and come
but a new day comes
with the rising of the sun
barging into someone's home
in the middle of the night
if i did this shit as a civilian
I'd be in jail for life
cause the tracers i fire
burn so bright
the guns that i shoot
i don't even bother to silence
i can't believe how some people
glorify this violence
you'd blow a fucking gasket
if you knew the shit I've done
wondering how i did that much shit
being this damn young
just picture me
19 years old and going to war
could lose my life
and wasn't sure what for
made it to Iraq and realized the situation
everyone's gonna die
and all life is
is you waiting
death is everywhere
staring me down constantly
i don't know what to do God
please talk to me
that's the prayer i say
every time i leave the wire
i say it to myself every time i test fire
the 50. cal machine gun on the top of my hummer
my only goal is to make it through
to the end of the summer
if i make it to September
I'll be home free
and I'll be able to transition
back to the old me
back to the Andy
who wouldn't hurt a fly
instead of the Andrew
who's watched so many die
the teenager who's scared
just to roll down the road
cause every time he leaves the FOB
he sees a bomb explode
a bomb that was put there
to kill me and my crew
and if the insurgents had their way
that bomb would kill you to
i think they proved that
when they high-jacked American planes
September 11th
I'll never forget that day
everyone from firefighters to policemen
answered the call
laying down their lives
for people they didn't know at all
soon after the military followed in suit
taking the War On Terror
right to the root
we invaded Afghanistan
and Iraq soon followed
it was American patriotism
perfectly modeled
lately though
I'm not quite sure
why in the hell
we're still fighting this war
soldiers are losing their support
and it's plain to see
i realized the extent
when i went home on leave
some of the things people said
you just wouldn't believe
I'm not telling you this shit
just to whine and complain
but after living the life of an infantry soldier
i don't think I'll ever be the same
I've seen so much shit
that caused me to grow up fast
like soldiers dying from an IED blast
i go out every day
defending people like you
I'm just letting you know YOU'RE the reason
why i do what i do
if you're an American citizen i love you
wether i like you or not
and I'll fight for you're life
with all that I've got
one of these days I'll put my M4 down
and I'll do so with a smile
not with a frown
but as long as there's a need for a military
in my beloved country
rest assured in knowing
you can always count on me
Andrew
1Mar06
Author notes
AndrewWhitington- September 11, 2001
just the thoughts of an unsure teenager in a combat zone...
Written March 14th, 2006
A contest entry
- Anything goes. by XXxXBassMeisterxXxX.
306 points, ended June 1, 2008, 31 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - War by peregrin.
750 points, ended September 10, 2008, 28 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 24 of 24
-
I love this write, I think it is brilliant.... and I agree with the concept of it. Where it is coming from. I love it. Love! Thank you so much for entering.
-
That was the most touching thing i have read all day. Thank you for going out for the country. That was amazing.I have had a really hard day and that touched me deep. It shows how much soldiers care. Jesus man. I have to read it again. It was just as amaing the first time. Thanks for fighting.
-
Blah
Wow
-
-
doyouknowme
thanks but no thanks....... bye bye
-
-
This is absolutely amazing.. i love it.. and im glad you made it home safe
-
Loving it!!
HOLY SHIT! Nicely written...VERY nicely written. I now have goosebumps. This is so powerful, and so is every image you planted into my head. I'm speechless.
My cousin is currently Serving over in Iraq, and let me just say this: No matter what everyone else thinks of you guys, I love all the soldiers serving this country. You guys go through so much and again, not enough Thank-you's go around. I pray for you guys everyday, and I hope you all make it home safe and sound.
-Melly- -
This piece sent me shivers, you wrote it so well. Awesome message!
-
Nicely written. I appreciate you sharing this with us. I think your poem should be read by all because everyone needs to know what soldiers go threw. I pray for peace for you, your family..and everyone apart of our human family.
-
Well said! I'm glad for all the love you have for this country. You've inspired many with your story. This was a very good poem. But I'm not going to love every American citizen just cause they are one regardless of who they are. I have respect for you, but it seems there is a limit to your love.
There might not be, and I'm sorry if I offend you. You are a great poet and I hope you continue writing meaningful poetry. : ) -
I'm actually crying right now, hoping that your not fighting for all of us, because you shouldn't fight for me. I don't feel like I'm worth it. This poem is so powerful in so many ways, the things you've had to seen must be hell and it gives me a chance to see what my dad saw in Vietnam, so now I understand him a bit more. Keep it up, and good luck. It's people like some of my friends that are worth fighting for.
xRapunzelx -
I just felt like commeting a few of your poems. This one is the best I've read so far. I know I've only started this year and since i haven't talked that much with other people on here so i don't have too many friends, but I'm glad your one of them. I'm glad you do what you do.
-
AWSOME
wow what a heartwrenching write, i'm so sorry that you have been through so much ,sorry if some americans just dont give a shit about this war. but let me tell you that i know many more here at home who support you guys over there in IRAQ. WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF OUR MILITARY.KNOW MATTER WHAT THE PAPERS SAY WE HERE AT HOME THINK OF YOU AND PRAY FOR YOU EVERYDAY. I AM A POET HERE AT ALL POETRY,I'VE WRITTEN SOME POEMS JUST FOR YOU GUYS AND GALS THERE IN IRAQ, PLEASE STOP BY MY PAGE AND READ THEM IF YOU WANT TO PRINT THEMAND PASS THEM AROUND I WOULD BE HONORED. GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS, SOLDIERS, DEAR MR. SOLDIER, BEFORE WAS ,KNOW ONE KNOWS LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THEM,
THIS IS A VERY WELL WRITTEN STORY AND I THANK GOD FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN LIKE WE HAVE IN OUR SERVICE AMERICA THANKS YOU VERY MUCH GOD BLESS YOU -
wow...i was planning on commenting, passing by this poem, you know, the usual ap crud, but this poem took the words i was going to use away from me...it was amazing....
-
Your words speak powerful volumes to all that feast their eyes upon this piece to read. Your sentiments are clearly seen and felt. Your talent has been shown in this piece to shine like a star. Well Done!
-
Very heartfelt lines you have penned here and shared with us all on this site. Sentiments certainly expressed well in these lines - bravo. Flows well.
-
This is pretty fantastic stuff, you're abit of a modern Owen...
This has a good chance of placing
thanks alot from the UK for all you guys do and long may our nations be allies.
-mle -
Thumbs Up
First of all thank you for all you do. I have nothing but the utmost respect for you. Not only are you a loyal american, but you are a pretty good poet also. My prayers are with you always. -
It's an impressing outflow right from the heart. It is so mature and open hearted. And for sure you don't do this only for Americans, you do it for all the people who deserve it. I'm so sorry that kids like you have to mature in this terrible way!
-
Toughest one
The toughest and most solid poem i had ever seen.But I regard you here for being a good poet and I would better love if you potrait yourself not as an American citizen rather an acclaimer of peace for world.You know you are fighting for humanity not for America alone.Your fight against terror will give whole of the world a peaceful life if undertaken in a proper manner.Being an Indian I have seen my fellows dying the same deaths in Kargil.Heaven knows when such destruction ends.Wonder is it continues even after humanity reaching the topmost zone of civilization.Still an excellant write.I do my duty to teach little kids to be patient and you punish those who are mad and impatient.Best of luck to you. -
Powerful poem
I hope you do more with this poem than let it sit on Allpoetry.com. While this is a welcome statement - and powerfully written, too - for us here, your message and the way you've given it needs to get OUT THERE. Stay safe and I hope when you come back that you'll find the gratitude you deserve.
Thanks,
Anne -
amazin' man!... all your poems are so from the heart thats why they r soo good... yea i bet it tough explainin' why you do what you do... but im sure that after readin' this poem, ppl will be happy that its you protectin' them...!
gr8 poem!... very real and down to earth... million r proud of u im sure! -
I always hate it when people don't support the soldiers. You guys are awesome
Thanks for entering!
-
I salute you friend, you are bravery at its finest, and this great country at its youngest. My hat goes off to you and your friends, thank you for this entry
-
OMG..I don't know what i love more, the poem or you. I could feel everything that you told. The reason it hit me the most is because i appreciate everything you as well as other soldiers have done for me and others, and i have a lot of loved ones and friends in the war or have been. thanx for commenting on my poem. ~take care~
Adding your comment:
1 - 24 of 24
