Dear Father grant me Patience,
For I am sore dismayed,
They charge me for defiance,
When their orders I’ve obeyed.
Resounding all around me,
My brothers laughter shrill,
Dear father grant me courage,
Dearest Father grant me will.
For years I have been Faithful,
Few true friends I have gained,
And for my love of truth and right,
My name has been disdained.
Oh Father I once wanted this,
It was my childhood dream,
To be one of the Few, the Proud,
A United States Marine.
And yet all I’ve discovered,
In my years within the Corps,
Is that if wealth is found in Right,
We are so very poor.
I have not strayed from my dear wife,
As I watch others do,
And those who keep thy dear name pure?
There are but only few.
I have obeyed all laws and rules,
They have set forth for me,
Except to join their fun in games,
That I know would insult thee.
Oh Father I have turned my cheek,
A hundred times before,
Oh Father grant me nerve this round,
to do it yet once more.
Dear Father do forgive me,
For the anger that I hold
When for a thing I did not do,
I stand here in the cold.
And Father please forgive them,
For they know not what they do,
And help me be a witness,
And bring them all to you.
Author notes
Just some discriminating going on in the US Marines against my Christian Canadian Husband. I do not hate the Marines just to make sure I am not misunderstood. I just hate the way my husband is hated because of where he came from. He joined to serve a country he wasn't even born in, and they treat him like crap. Just goes to show that racism can mean any race or nationality.
A contest entry
- 26th (invite only) by second-born.
1000 points, ended December 26, 2007, 9 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Non Noi Dimenticheremo (We Will Not Forget) by Jihi-Kami.
700 points, ended October 19, 8 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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This is a very good poem. I love the rhyme and the message is clear. Thank you for entering this contest and good luck.
God bless,
Misty
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This is a very well-crafted poem, full of both anger and a prayer for patience. I hope things will improve for both of you.
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Congrats on the silver trophy my lovely sister. This was extremely heartfelt. Every word was written with warmth and truth. You are a beautiful soul with a big heart.
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Wow…this is such a lovely and heartfelt poem…I think what makes this poem stood out was because this is a right prayer…thank you for sharing this sincere
write…
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Just read this again...
This poem is beautiful. You are a master poet, dear one... if a girl might be a master. 
I love the sound of your poetry. 
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An excellent and well done write as usual, ma'am, both in content and in structure. A terrific job of telling this "story", even though it be not a story but the truth. I will certainly include Joe in my prayers.
Grampa
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It is easy to say why your husband's comrades are treating him so.
What is not so easy is to write a poem/prayer as a response to it all. It goes against human nature, since we usually want to retaliate. We often find ourselves thinking "Why be so gracious when I'm being treated unfairly."
Yet you write a poem that speaks of a personification of grace, honoring the God of Grace. If your husband seeks the Lord this way, he is on another plain that many find unusual; even odd. His loneliness have only been felt by a few, especially Jesus. He was odd to the world because He was from another place. He was ostracized and eventually killed.
But you know that story.
May you both see the Lord's wisdom in this. Paul talked about sharing in the sufferings of Christ. He saw he was having fellowship with Jesus, by going through what he and his Lord are experiencing. It's actually a special privilege, because Jesus wants your husband to identify with Him, like two friends who have experienced the same thing. If your husband chooses to do that, he cannot help but fall deeper in love with Him, and live accordingly.
May your husband and yourself find comfort in this. Amen.
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Your words are full of pain and righteous anger for your husband's treatment. I pray that his strength and faith will see him through this time of trial and bring him safely home to you. He only has one person to answer to and that is to himself. I understand how cold and lonely it can be when one isn't part of 'the crowd'.
Take care
Margaret
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WHAT??? The U.S. Marines are treating your Canadian husband badly?
What's with those guys? I don't get it. That is uncalled for and just not right and is actually stupid. Your poem is admirable, however... I always like it so much when you write a new poem because your poetry has a certain rhythm to it that I really love.
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