9 November 2004 Notes in My Journal
"To my Father",
"It is the eve of our big battle. Corporal "Cuts-the-Rope" led us in a Sioux smoke ceremony. We cleanse our souls for war and the souls of our enemy..... the way it should be."
two birds
watch from the window's sandbags
a touch of God
"If this is the end of the road for me, I would want to return to the soil where I began. I have no fear of death.... rather, only a sense of being complete. If I fall in battle, it was meant to be...... and it will have always been meant to be."
born a warrior
the way is not to live but to die
honorably
I live by the code
of a Samurai
"Dad.... you gave me the beginning. It was you who held me my first day of life..... and it is you who shall scatter my ashes in Independence.... an appropriate name of a city to rest in. I know fate will work itself out.... and I may leave this battle with my life. Either way, I am happy and content."
listen to freedom
it pounds in a brave heart
of courage
"Lastly, I would like to pass on the most important thing I have learned in my life. It is the pen that builds and the pen that kills. But all you need in life is two words -- Love and Freedom. With the combination of the two, a man can be complete."
"with that learned
I will see you
when I see you"
Semper Fidelis, GP Anderson
note: the final haiku is the direct words of GP Anderson in his journal......
Author notes
This is based on a letter (almost word for word) from a Marine, Garrett Anderson, to his father. He's young (19) yet amazingly wise. He comes from a great family with immense dignity. He believes in what we are doing as a country....... and what he is doing as an individual. Such youth... such awareness........ such depth.
Thank you Andersons for the permission to post this for all to share...... and enjoy.
For all of you commenting... please be respectful..... this is real life here and I don't want specific critiques or opinions regarding the war. Please.....just read... learn... and enjoy.
Written November 29th, 2004
In a list
A contest entry
- _peace_ by gothangel.
300 points, ended August 16, 2005, 6 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 57 of 57
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This is awesome I have read Haibun before but not as effective as this. Excellent I need to try and write a few of these
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Thanks Steve..... his Dad trains Kung Fu with me..... and Garrett has popped in on occassion before he was deployed to Iraq.
Very brave and wonderful family.
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Having grown up with Garrett it is a pleasure to stumble across this page and see you all speaking of his amazing clarity.
He made it home safely and as far as I know, was deployed to Afghanistan in early Jan or 06.
Alive and well I'm sure, we seemed to have gotten away with everything with never more than a scratch. -
this was a very good piece...nice job and thank you so much for entering my contest...good luck and keep up the awesome work
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Thanks David. I appreciate your comment a lot. Hope things are well with you. Take care,
Don -
Great piece of art! This is very well put together and emotionally structured so that the reader feels something of the anguish. This is very good
David -
Thanks Suzi.... this young man is my hero! What a mind and OMG... what a heart. His brother and father are the same way.... passionate.... fighters for freedom.... and wise.
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You know..I find it amazing the clarity that some men (and women) find in the face of war and adversity. It corrupts some, yes, but in many cases it makes strong men ..who know how to stand free..and why it is worth defending.
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Wow this is so beutiful. I loved it. Good job and thanks for entering....
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Thank you Jackie. You're absolutely right..... he is a hero already.... to us all now and forever.
Don -
Although I'm sure this young man's family was already proud of him,I would only imaginine that this made them burst w/ pride. My prayer is that he returns home safe to his family...if not he is a hero either way. Your poem really pulled some heartstring in this old heart. Jacki
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Incredible clarity from such a young person (19). Sometimes in history our children in this country have risen up and the only thing to do is shake our heads in pride and amazement. We are experiencing such a time I believe.
Thanks for the great comment.
Don -
You're welcome.
Luv ya,
~Amanda~
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Bravo! Semper Fi
To walk
the fine line twix Life & Death
Clarity
~ G
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Hey Amanda.... thanks for the great comment. I luv ya mucho.
Don -
Thanks Laura.... appreciate the visit.
Don -
It really is amazing what they are doing for this country at such a young age. Tiffany's mom is still in hold of a old friend of mine that I haven't talked to in about over four years, and he's going to be shipped out to Iraq really soon. So I'm just praying that everyone is safe and has a safe return home.
~Amanda~
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Thank you, Don. Great write!
XOXO
~laura -
Hey Amanda.... he is the son of one of my students. We are all so proud of this family..... and of all famlies going through the same thing. Our children are over there..... they're scared and brave at the same time. This is an age of heroes........ regardless of what one believes regarding the war.... these children are doing what they are told in a dignified heroic way............ at 18, 19.... and so on. Amazing.
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Hey Tina.... it's great to see you. I've been looking for a new poem from you these days. Glad to see you pop in!
This boy is so young and very wise beyond his years. I think we all have learned something here.... even the committment of our children in Iraq that in their belief, we're doing the right thing. That's comforting to know as well. The mainstream media would have you believe otherwise.
His father is so proud of him..... the whole family is, obviously....... we all pray for his safe return and for this to end soon.
luv ya friend,
Don -
Brave soul to not fear death - I'm glad you posted this. It made me realize that we should not fear death or life for perhaps each is a gift of its own accord.
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He sounds like a wise rare soul. Simply amazing this is.
~Amanda~
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Thanks Mark. He is a remarkable young man and has swiftly become my hero. Take care. I appreciate your time and comment.
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He certainly is wise beyond his years. It's good to know that courage and honor like his still exist in a country where old-fashioned values seem to fade a little more each day. Your haiku's and tanka's added tremendous power to his words. Truly captivating work.
Mark -
Thanks Dee..... it's great to see your thoughts here. I and his family appreciate it. The boy really has a great head on his shoulders and is profound in his perspective at such a young age.
Thanks again....
Don -
Oops...sorry, I clicked on this at first in the featured box, started a comment, then accidently closed the browser window before I hit the submit button...so.. I'm back...
This poem is so emotion filled, passionate and filled with the wisdom of an old soul. This young man, so considerate and loving has written a treasure for his father and family.
You've presented it here with such eloquence and dignity. This must surely be a comfort to this father, knowing that his son accepts the fight, and does not fear death.
I can't even begin to tell you how much this poem has touched me, Don. I'm glad you posted it for all of us to share.
A most memorable and meaningful piece.
Love,
Dee
Edited on Nov 29, 7:28 p.m. because ''. -
Thanks Bill.
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Excellent.
Don.Wonderful words wonderfully presented. -
Thanks Pat. I wanted to leave his words in tact for the sake of the integrity of the piece and only add in the haiku and tanka. I tried to use a blend of skills on this as I really wanted to write it well.
I appreciate your comment..... you're right. These are the children next door. What a way to look at it. Very powerful thought.
Don -
So few of us think of the men and women who serve our country as the kids next door. It is sad because that is who they really are. We should all be greatful for people like Garrett Anderson for putting their lives on the line so they we can enjoy all that we have.
You did a wonderful job combining his letter with your own words for this piece...
Regards
Pat -
Thanks Sara for your reading this. The Marine that wrote the letter this was based on is the son of an amazing man that is my kung fu student. Once I read the letter, I felt compelled to turn it into a poem.... a haibun. It is such a poetic letter in and of itself.... and in journal style.... I felt by adding just a touch through contemporary haiku and a tanka, we would have an amazing piece. I gave it my best. That's for sure.
luv ya,
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Thanks BlackKnight. Very thoughtful comment and response to our military. I appreciate your kindness and sincerity.
many blessings to you,
Don -
You're right Keisi..... they live in the front line of things and profoundness, I think, just comes to them.... as is this case. Wonderful people we have in our country...... wonderful hearts and dedication to freedom.
Thanks,
Don -
yeah.... well Sunrise, that's how this one goes It kind of wrote itself. Short in terms of the classics though..... Mr. Garrett Anderson wrote the letter and I added the haiku and tanka. Not much of my writing... more his... and I didn't want to remove a single word. It was a letter from the battle field of Folujah to his father. When his father showed it to me, I immediately wanted to work it into a haibun.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Don
Edited on Nov 29, 5:22 p.m. because ''. -
I am not a soldier, so I cannot imagine the trials and hardships that a soldier faces every day. I've read several books, mainly written by Stephen Ambrose, a terrific writer (God bless his soul), though reading doesn't come close to the reality of war. I thank Garrett Anderson and his brother for fighting for the ideals and freedoms this country stands by, I thank you for fighting in your time and I also thank you for posting this. I hope Mr. Anderson and his brother come home safe and sound; it is rare to see someone so wise at such a young age.
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good
Wonderful and I to through ithers having to bring it to my attention thought about the troops overseas .We all get caught up in our own little worlds shame to say .Nice write -
I don't spend enough time thinking about the men and women overseas! I pray for them and wish them well, but sometimes I treat them as normal people; never realizing that they have really profound things to say. This is an amazingly inspiring letter. Thank you for posting this Don! (I put Sara first, because I wasn't looking at the name close enough!! Sorry!)
Kelsi
Edited on Nov 29, 3:04 p.m. because ''. -
a bit long, might throw people off- enjoyed reading this eloquent piece. keep up the writing wondeful imagery and wording , beautiful!
~sunrise777~ -
Wow, This is amazing and I'm glad that you are able to share this from an amazing young man, I don't know quite what to say... I'm speechless, Love You ---Sara
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Don, If you have time I have a couple poems I would like to share with you about being a soldier.. One is called Peacekeepers and another called A Battle. They will also tell the story in which we live our lives
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pretty long but i stayed with you!!!!
neat background
happy poeting,
mander -
Dear Poetic-Soldier... you have summarized it well. Thanks for commenting.
Don -
Thanks Andrew... I appreciate you commenting on this one. It means a lot. This family is so brave... the other son is also in Iraq... both in Folujah..... both at war. A family of heroes... following the father's footsteps in protecting peace at all costs.
Don -
When we write, it is rare that we ever consider the immensity of the thought that we are writing tomorrows history today. This young man, warrior, hero did, he consider all, his family, those who may later read and most of all his value, he looked at the price he may pay for others, and he accepted it.
How many can stand and say without doubt, that they could be so honourable.
If I could, I would like to say thank you to all those men who will pay for those who will never know their names. It is these people who have shaped this world and allow mankind to stand tall.
Don, you have done this man a great justice with your poetic hand, I do believe you have touched the spirit of this man, (and many others) .
Andrew -
Outstanding Story
I read these words you posted and the truth they provide. I am also a soldier who has seen many things. The battles we fight many people never know about. The crimes of war we witness, the smells, the destruction we see each time we go overseas what ever the country, we see so much. The security and freedom we provide comes at a great sacrifice to our families and ourselves. I thank you for posting such a story and it is very well written. Have a good one. -
Thanks Muse;
Yeah ..... the media doesn't really think about all that... nor justice. They just go about their business of making a quick buck.... like Dan Rather making an arse out of himself.... These children representing us are as you say "fathers and philosophers and brothers and poets andsisters and heros and mothers"..... They are all of that and more. I wish the main stream media would pick up on that. Where is the support from the media we used to enjoy in the 50's and earlier on.... when our country stood united for cause versus factions trying to make a buck selling biased media for political gain. It's a sorry time in the regard.
Thanks again for your thoughtful comment.
Don
Edited on Nov 29, 5:27 p.m. because ''. -
Great comment Patty. I know he will appreciate your loving blessings. Take care.
Don -
Thanks Chelkie..... I appreciate you and your thoughtfulness.... and I know the Anderson family does as well.
Don -
Excellent
Sometimes, I think, it is easy to forget that those who serve and fight for their countries are more than warriors. They are people with lives as real and rich as our own outside of the military. They are thinkers and fathers and philosophers and brothers and poets and sisters and heros and mothers; they are our neighbors and friends. Somehow, the media doesn't show that in all their "sound bites" and "action coverage", or in all their facts and numbers. It is good to have a reminder...and in the voice of one of those we have forgotten to remember as one of us. I also found it chastening to think what those "real soldiers" have given up and set aside. Thanks for this truly remarkable piece.
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This is a wonderfully written letter from a very brave young man. May all our men and women be truly blessed. Hugs, Patricia
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I know how it feels and I truly care!
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My best regards to you and your family. I appreciate your brother's place in Kuwait...... and though it isn't as present in the media as Iraq... it is an important, very important role your brother is playing and I respect his dedication and committment to an ideal.
Take care... and many blessings to you all.
Don -
Thanks Laura. Good luck in the Army (soon)...... I appreciate your heartfelt comment. I'll tell them.
Thanks,
Don -
Thanks... please do. I appreciate it. So does the family.
Don -
This is touching to read this from a troop....I have a brother thats serving in Kuwait right now we always look forward to getting letters from him letting us know hes ok greatjob
Matt -
nice write
This is so life touching...i'm in the army (well will be next summer) and this really hits home! I really enjoyed this. Tell the family that i will keep him in my prayers.
XOXO
~laura -
I will book mark this and come back later... ( Very busy w/school) I will comment later...
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