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Fire and Fear


I make these words
for those that once stood at the edge
wondering if they would ever return... to safe ground

My friends and comrades
that felt the same consuming fear within

and moved forward on command, to not be left behind

Strangers becoming brothers
bonding in fire and fear, wanting only tomorrow
each of us aching for a place, we all fondly called "the world"

My best friend
wrenching in pain, only a moment left
stunned by the reality of dying so far from home, hopelesly alone

The never ending rockets
a roulette game, that no one can win
watching us fall by the numbers, pulling metal tags

Reading the names of the men
some themselves almost children, fatal or injured
writing imposable letters, to say how we won, how the spirt goes on

Each generation coming
will live the same blessing and pain
from the armies of Caesar, to the revolution, to today

The places may change
the weapons may become more ornate
yet the man within the fire and fear, will remain the same

There is always a price to pay

freedom, is never free





Lee

Author notes

There are three types of servicemen

Thoes that served
Those that served in combat
Thoes that served in combat and died

The differences are very clear, to each within the ranks
and the brotherhood is limited, to those that participate in the price.

Any serviceman may volenteer for combat, at any time while he serves
Life is all about choises, and for very that reason alone
There are no REMF, upon "The Wall" in Washington
only many brave dead men.

Let that be clear upon the Forth of July
where the true cost of war is paid
It is layed within a grave

They are the heros


Other Words: http://allpoetry.com/poem/2098546






A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 28 of 28
  • Yvette Champ gold member
    September 11, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Amen.


    • Endeavor gold member
      September 11, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      Yvette


      Thank you for reading me
      Amen is sufficant
      I understand

      Rick

  • Nicole Hanna
    July 9, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Ah, a very close friend of mine has been overseas twice now, and the stories he would tell me are not only heart-wrenching but gut-stomping as well. There's so much loss and sadness wrapped up in war, but along with that is also a wonderful sense of courage and hope. I don't support war (as I'm sure not many do), but the troops deserve far more than they get for their service. Thanks for the entry

  • Nicole Hanna
    July 6, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    This is currently entered in my other active contest Spirit. lol. You'll have to take your pick which one you want to keep it in


  • michellemybelle gold member
    July 4, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    A wonderful way to pay tribute to all our men and women at war. I know you speak of this from you own experiences, I get angry at times, knowing you have suffer with nightmares, but also am proud of you, and am glad you survived. I am so greatful to all of our soldiers who protect us, and make us feel freedom, no it isn't free.
    Happy 4th of July my friend.
    love
    Michelle


    • Endeavor gold member
      July 5, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      Hi Michelle


      What a nice note to me
      We each have our own thoughts on the war
      The thing I like that is different from when I served
      is we seperate the troops from the policy and the war.

      That is a big change

      When I arived back to the states from Viet Nam,
      they had to put us in busses with the windows painted over
      and play music so we did not here the protesters calling us
      baby killers, and war mongers and the like.
      People would spit on us if we walked around in uniform
      or come up and say the meanest things
      We were realy on an island then

      Now we atleast respect the men, are just doing their duty
      That is a much more fair approch

      Thank you for reading this my friend

      Love Rick


  • Taodesteve
    July 4, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Note, the armies of Caesar weren't really fighting for freedom. Also there is one point that would be good to change, and it's minor, in the 6th line you should change it to: not to be left behind. It just flows a lot better. Other than that though, good poem, good wor


    • Endeavor gold member
      July 4, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      Taodestive


      I think I was saying, war is the same
      for each generation of men, not the purpose
      I may do the other change after a few readings

      Thank you for liking my work

      Rick


  • Rovingone gold member
    July 4, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    That's a fantastic tribute to the men who have gone and served and to those who gave their lives. You do them a great honor!


  • Loveandblessings2u gold member
    July 4, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    OMG ~~~ Mr.
    I can clearly remember you telling me
    all about your days at war.
    I remember all the bad dreams, nighhtmares.
    This is a remarkable write, one that reaches
    out to anyone with a heart.
    This was so nice of you to write especially
    for today. You have one of the most caring
    hearts of anyone I know. You are an amazing man,
    with a magical soul, you reach out to people and make them feel better about their self, like no one else can. For those reasons and more, is why I love you. My Dear Friend. God Bless You Always.
    You have written a sad, but truly beautiful piece of art here, you should be proud, I know I am proud of you and all the men and women who fight a war everyday, to protect me and mine. I thank you and them.

    Loveandblessings2u & yours always
    Love You,
    Joyce


  • Talking Toni gold member
    July 4, 2008
    Edit | Reply

    Sorry.............

    I thought this was another new one from you but since I am here I'll add to my other comment..This is amazing and only one who went though the fire with their fallen and injured comrads could possibly wrte with such imagery taking the readers right to the battle grounds to re-live those times of war....


  • cvillelisa
    July 4, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    Hi,

    I think perhaps you spelled Caesar wrong?

    If you haven't seen the HBO John Adams series, I highly recommend it.

    Lisa


  • Talking Toni gold member
    July 4, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    WOnderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I salute you an all those like you on this day with pride an appreciation of the servitude you gave to our country. Every faithful service man and woman can rest in knowing they played a key role in protecting liberty and whether it was a time of war or time of peace serving in the military is a great sarcifice from family friends the stability of living inone place for a long period of time....Great write and a great way to tribute those who lost their live as they cost of freedom....God Bless you and God Bless America!!!~~Toni~~


  • Inconspicuous.
    July 4, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    wow... this is the second poem tonight, that has renewed my faith in humanity...
    They are all friends,
    they are family...
    they are heroes...

    stronger than most,
    and weaker than some.
    but they will live forever in our hearts!

    thanks so much for this great write.
    i love the way you've truly conveyed what it's like
    to be in a position where you're forced into
    living with ppl only to defend them,
    as much as you defend yourself :]]
    there is much satisfaction in knowing that
    you're putting your life on the line for
    people, which some you will probably never have the
    chance to meet. I wanted to cry after the last poem i read... but this one, brings an amount of happiness
    in knowing that my brothers didn't die in vain...


  • SummerlandRayne gold member
    July 4, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    Only You...

    My friend...only you can bleed out such a poem of pure truth and feeling on a horrific subject such as this. Your words always allow me to have such patriotic feelings...allowing me to despise war, and love and cherish the warrior. So many truths in this verse...and the AN's glow. Blessed be my dear and kind friend...blessed be!!!

    Love you~
    Sue


  • King Neirad
    July 4, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    A poem about very real things. I like it because it doesnt attempt to dress up what should not be dressed up pretty. You say what is real, and you say it proudly. I admire that. I'm not a fan of war, but I realise that, as you say, freedom is not free, and I appriciate the lives that paid for mine. I also like how you describe how those who dont even know eachother become brothers in war. Fir and Fear. Brilliant poem

    "Strangers becoming brothers
    bonding in fire and fear, wanting only tomorrow"


    • Endeavor gold member
      July 4, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      King Neirad


      Thank you for quoting me

      War is very real and a rush
      There is nothing to dress up, it is a mess
      yet there is a beauty in seeing many overcome there fear
      I never had a man refuse to move foward, or do his duty.
      Policy is made in Washington, reality in the field

      I think your beliefs are very fair

      Rick


  • Life is a Beach gold member
    July 3, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    This is very touching. I have a friend that is a vietnam vet and he had many comrades die in his presence. I can't imagine what that would do to ones soul. PTSD is the price my friend is paying. ***Pam***


    • Endeavor gold member
      July 3, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      Hi ***Pam***


      Your friend was bound to see that
      War is a team sport
      Going thru the experances together
      makes for a deep bond

      I regret that he has the Syndrone
      Some never got it out of them

      Rick


  • DeGraw
    July 3, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    Priceless!

    As the family member of so many service men and women (I'm disabled, so unable to join myself), I am touched by your powerful words for them on this eve of the Forth of July.
    Good Luck in the contest.
    Regards,
    Jennifer

    • Endeavor gold member
      July 3, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      Thank you Jennifer


      Thank you for caring for my words
      It is as it was

      Rick

  • Amarige
    July 3, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Wonderful entry to the contest..These 2 lines said it all..

    There is always a price to pay

    freedom, is never free


    best of luck

    Ruby


    • Endeavor gold member
      July 3, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      Hi Ruby


      Not the most oriogiona ending
      but the thought is very clear

      Thank you for the three Smilies

      Rick

  • Nicole Hanna
    July 2, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    lol I judge almost immediately upon a contest closing, so you'd better get ta writing


    • Endeavor gold member
      July 3, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      Hi Nicole

      I made my words for your contest
      from the spirit of 1776, July Forth
      and the brave men that gave there lives
      to win our independance and freedon from England

      Some things never change, just the date and place

      Rick

    • Endeavor gold member
      July 2, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      Thank you Nicole


      I appreate the insite

      I will be back

      Rick

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