Flawed but well-meaning,
simple but paradoxical,
and still a work in progress.
That's me in a sentence,
an apprentice, basics training.
A graduate from
the school of hard knocks,
served in 'Nam,
uncomfortably numb...
It took life & familial hardship,
to bounce back from
the edge of insanity,
unanimity intact.
Just a mere year ago,
I found a haven
to build in, come alive in,
and renovate as needed.
A late-arriving
disciple of night nuances,
believes in rhyme's resonance
to capture the ear
and memory with temerity.
Rife with unctuous soul,
A man who'd rather look ahead
because the past
still stings
when wandering near it.
A free spirit, soldiering on,
expelling thought
laced with quotes from Frost,
and Waters -
both Bards in my book.
Soldier on, Friends...
"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length" - Robert Frost.
"All you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be." - Roger Waters.
Author notes
Contest entry for: Autobiography ~ Who are you? Can you answer this question without over using I?
Picture: my 'Nam nemisis ~ "Me" in '69.
In a list
A contest entry
- Autobiography by Randomly Beautiful.
1750 points, ended April 24, 2008, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
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An insight into a time when incitefulness was sadly lacking, but you go and do your duty hoping someone somewhere understands why you did it and appreciates it when you return home. Alas this was was one that took time to be recognized, I have friends who still have the dreams and the fears. I send you
z and understand what you say here. Love, Chez 
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its very good
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Very well written. Thank you for this. :f
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This is an raw & honest portrayal, for sure. It seems, from my experience anyway, that the ones that talked about it the most were not in the thick of battle, if they were ever there at all. I had the honor of meeting many veterans when I worked at the college library. None were without scarred memories that they couldn't bring themselves to discuss at length. A terrible, haunting time in our society, both there & here. Thank you for serving, my Friend. Good luck in Trina's contest. Wanda
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The responses you have gotten are unacceptable to me. I'm not even sure why. I'm not even sure that I can do better, but perhaps I will try? So many of my employers and co-workers have been veterans of this conflict and they shared only occasionally anything that was substantial. I believe the striking part of this piece is the spirit that cries to share the things from the past as they are an unction that almost must be delivered even if it changes nothing. If I had never written a line and was only a reader, a passerby,I have to catch the idea that this is a human being who having lived in all the previous stanzas, I see someone who takes that and incorporates it with Frost and Waters dying to bleed the yesterdays away and penetrate the tomorrows if it is possible. I hope I caught something of the essence in this work. Good luck in the contest my friend. CL
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Ya caught it all, my Friend!
Thanks for understanding. ~ Nicky♥
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Robert Frost is a most respected poet. I wish you luck in the contest. I really liked reading this poem. Thank you for sharing.
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haunting picture. PEACE IS YOURS IF YOU WANT IT. I like to think one day people will see there is no need for death hate and guns. hugs.~peace~
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Very Good
Well wrote and with a smatterring of memory.. I Like It
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Excellant
Aye, a very fine write just as it is. I liked your imagery and think you expressed your self very well.
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i like this poem, as an Army wife i think that it is a great poem to tell about a soldier and about your life also, good luck in the contest and keep writing, -Amy
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Nice job. I am glad you have found your place in life, a place where you seem contented. Congratulations on a poem well written. Best of luck in the contest.
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Wow, you have penned a very good autobiography!! I am surprised the honesty that is told in this with a bit of decent mockery in it. I really like your take on this contest
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It took life & familial hardship,
to bounce back from
the edge of insanity,
unanimity intact.
an honest and dignified account of your journey. It's strange but for some reason I thought you were a woman when I first started reading your poetry, it had a certain sensitivity that perhaps makes more sense now. We go beyond simple gender equations to a fuller understanding of the human spirit after painful experiences and we grow.
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