The Dice
If I die before I wake
Will I be at Heaven's door
Will I be an angel
Will I get a chance to soar
Will my sins catch up with me
Will I see the devil's face
Will I face Eternity
In a God forsaken place
The Lord he has my heart and soul
And they'll be his dice to roll
Forgive me please, for what I've done
I hope God wins my soul
Morality
A lot happens the last few months before going home from Iraq. You start to feel you beat the beast. You start counting the days as they pass and thinking I’m going to make it.
We have to wonder if what we are doing is right. I feel with all my heart that it is a good thing. I feel that God is proud of me. But sometimes I have to wonder if I have lived a life that has earned me a ticket to Heaven. Did I ask for forgiveness for every sin that I committed? Was my heart true when I asked for forgiveness? You know what I mean. Did I do what I did using a high moral standard.
Truly, many soldiers have done things during the heat of battle of which they are not proud. We as a nation have to forgive these brave men. We sent them to Iraq and their sins are our sins whether we support the war or not. We have to remember that these brave men are put into extreme positions that they have to react to very quickly.
I remember a story I heard about a few soldier breaking into a house searching for illegal weapons. They walk into a home after breaking the doors in and a person inside releases a door behind them that ends up slamming which makes a big bang. The soldiers opened fire at the door killing an elderly woman inside the room.
The question is what would you would do. Boom, shoot, that’s what they did. Had it been a different day they probably would have been saving the lives of their fellow soldiers but not on this day. I pray for those soldiers every time I remember that story. I see it this way, God forgives a good hearted person for mistakes. They didn’t kill that lady because of hate.
I hope God is the forgiving God that I believe he is. I believe most people will go to Heaven and few will face the devil. I see God as a father. As a father myself, I know that there is nothing that my children can do that I will not forgive. I believe God is the same way.
The only people that will go to Hell are those people who can’t forgive themselves. Many soldiers from the Vietnam days still are not able to forgive themselves. We can not allow this to happen again. I see a trend starting and I wonder if Americans are going to fall into the same trap again.
Yes, bad things happen in war. Yes, even I wish certain things had never happen. But the lives of the soldiers are also very important to me. The mental health of the soldiers is very important to me. One thing that helps heal a soldier’s heart is a big crowd at the airport when they come home. Pro soldier rallies with signs that say we love our troops, we support our troops. The American people are the cure. If you forgive them then they will be able to forgive themselves and they will survive.
Author notes
TO God for getting me through from Emotions of an American In Iraq
Written April 23rd, 2006
In a list
A contest entry
- War Poems For My Magazine by James R.
300 points, ended July 30, 2006, 53 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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I'll just refer to the poem, which is nice. Good luck in the contest.
U
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from the heart
Not my particular type of poetry but so from the heart that i thought it deserved a comment. The thing you wrote after really struck at my heart too. I personally think we should avoid war at all costs but it dosen't make sense to persecute those that do go to war and fight in our name. Thank you for your eye opening opinion.
The first line and last line are a poem inthemselves with a poem inbetween very clever. And the use of The Dice as a title good too it lets us all know that it's a ll a game of chance.
Be well x
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So Heartfelt And Touching My Friend
Oh Charlie, You always write straight from your heart and fill your poems with such true emotion. A soldier is trained and sometimes is sent into combat. Things do not always go as planned. As in all of life, accidents and the unexpected happens. A soldier is not at fault when that happens. He is there doing what he was sent to do. And you Charlie, you have nothing to fear. God loves you and He sees what a fine man you are and He sees into that warm, caring compassionate and loving heart of yours. This was a very touching read this morning as I sit and reflect on my life and the heartache this past year. It is nothing compared to what you and so many others have gone through this past year. I sit and count my blessings. You are in my prayers everyday my dear friend. Many many hugs. God Bless you, Love, Sandy
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Speechless and left in awe.
Wow... this is amazing. Did you come home already? I hope you made it safely if you did, or if you haven't, to have a safe trip
I'm sorry if you did say you came home or not, It's 3 in the morning I am very tired... but I do absolutely love this poem and I hope you are doing very very well! ~ Kerri
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I'm priveleged to read this, and thanks
I'm too tired to feel I can give a good critical review. I enjoy the simplicity, the rhythm, the message of the poem. I am honored by the authenticity, the insight, the keen gaze into the soul.
I am an Iraqi vet too. I was a combat engineer in the invading task force. I am now out on 50% disability. i am well, thank G-d, and so are my family.
I'll see you here, or see you on the other side.
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thank you for letting me into the mind and thoughts of a soldier at war.I see that this was written in April and I do hope that in the meantime you have been able to return home safely. Please know that I am anti-war. However my heart is with every single soldier that is doing what they are told , as well as everything to protect themselves<------therein lies the irony of war. Innocent people do die , because other innocent people are trying to protect themselves. INNOCENSE is the keyword (as I am sure that you did not become a soldier with the intentions of seeing how many people you could kill)I am assuming that every soldiers reason is to protect what they love......
I am also not super religious, however I do know that if there is a God (the way I like to think of Him) he would be an all forgiving God and your seat has been reserved simply because you are questioning if you are doing the right thing(conscience). This touched me deeply and a welcome with banners and a ticker-tape parade is due every single one of you.......unfortunately we are only made aware when bodybags arrive at the airport....the single soldier returning is usually not mentionned. I do wish you and yours the best......and I thank you,
reenie
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This was a fantastic write my friend that will go well in the magzine. At the end of the contest I will be giving all the entrys my email adress so they can tell me a little about them selfs the poem and if they would like there allpoetry name on the copyright nor your real name. I can also explain more about the magazine to people. tnaks for the entry and best of luck
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this is great, I believe God knows the heart of each one of us when we go to him im prayer, he knows if we are sincere or just talking to ease our own guilt, God also knows what unjust can do when he lost his own son for the sins of the world, I belive he is with each and everyone of the soldiers, Know matter what nationality, he also knows the hearts of those who are seeking sometype of glory and those who are doing their job, so to speak, these soldiers don't want to die, they are doing what they are trained to do. let them know they are supported and talked about in positive ways no matte what the press is doing, most Americans are praying for their safe return, and mourning the lost of those who have made the unltimate sacrifice.
God Bless and Stay Safe.
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I love the poem more, to be honest, as a seperate thing, but the morality section talks about something important. You're right, those soldiers didn't shoot out of intent or malice towards the woman. During war, it's either kill or be killed.
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This is beautiful and heart wrenching at the same time. I loved the thoughts contained here and I believe they speak of truth. No soldier is quilt, they are sent to do what others tell them, if a war is wrong it's not he soldiers fault, it is those in command who send them to battle. They protect and serve, that is their sole purpose. If things happen in war that may seem cruel to those not involved, they should ask themselves how they would react, far away from home, scared and alone and just trying to get back to their families whole, I think at every sound you would jump, at every bang you would shoot. It would be quite a normal reaction to fear and self preservation. The soldiers need support, the administration needs our protests. Check out my piece "A Letter From Home', it is written with the soldiers in mind. take care,
Bunny
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