SwiftVets.com

[oasis]

In the Hours of Waiting



In the hours of waiting for you lover,
my heart is quiet and needing.

Perhaps tomorrow will bring a smile.

The desert wind I hear blowing and sprays
the sand upon my window sill.

Rising now, I stretch, yawning I peer
out upon an empty wasteland of sand.

The sun is rising, the birds are singing,
but I'm alone in a desert wasteland.

I have no lover.

Foggy is my brain when I think of the past,
the times she would sing and I would hear
her sweet laughter and she would fill my
heart with joy.

I recall holding her hand and we would sit
under a tree by a quiet stream and the
smell of her hair I can recall.

I kiss my love and am comforted.

Lasting forever was her touch, her caress and
she loved me there.

Now, all that is left is a memory because my
love is gone.
_________________
-Oasis

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[oasis]

Thorns

These thorns are my burden

For my enemies and one for me

I seek no more quarrel in my final hour

I seek no more burden to bear

My final thoughts will be for you, for all of you

Because I love you

Now I bow my head to my father

It is he my dreams have always been with

Now I wake, no more dreams, because he holds my hand
_________________
-Oasis

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[Knighthawk]

I didn't write this, but it has always been one of my favorites.

THE FINAL INSPECTION

The soldier stood and faced his God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass

"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and
said. "No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays
And at times my talk was tough
And sometimes I've been violent
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgement of his God,

"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burden well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

~ author unknown
_________________
Regards,
Brian

Beware of the lollipop of mediocrity! Lick it once and you'll suck forever.

If guns kill people, then I can blame misspelled words on my pencil.

Knighthawk's Pictures!

[Debs]

Thanks for the poems - they are all wonderful and very touching.

These are poems written by an uncle who died in WWII while serving in the 8th Air Force - they are from his memoirs of the war.

Preface to Memoirs

All the world is waiting for the sun to rise on a bright new world.
I wait for red roses of Texas, bue orchids of home.

The Battle

The battle was hell fire but God has been there,
To help sinners yearning for proof of his care.
To show weary hearts that all is not lost,
Than victory is grand but is high in cost.
Than truth and prayer can never fail
If kept in mind heart and soul to avail.
The sinner of the truth of our God above,
Our God, our country, our all, our love.

Wild Broncs

Wild broncs have thrown me from east to west
Mad winds have blown me and blown their best
Satan has pierced me, both mind and soul,
I bleed like a river but think of the goal
And wait for the faraway angel of pain
To rise as red dust from the sandy plains
And kiss each wound of a heart red with shame
To pluck out the bullets and kindle new flame.

The Rose

The red rose you gave on a night long ago
Is still with you kiss on my heart, although
Hell's in my soul and death everywhere.
Battle thunders and rockets red glare,
Demons of hades have been at my heart
Forever it seems, and they never depart,
They burn with blue torches and kindle a flame,
They sear my sad heart - a heart still the same.

Fair Angel

From the Gold sands of Texas, Fair Angel aglow
Unfurl your candlelight wings, silver wings and go,
From our land of gay glitter, our life once carefree,
Now sad, dark and so bitter, love hurry to me.
Fly on the rainbow, on peace the bright light,
Lift your sinner low, out of the dark night,
Fly fast through the gloom, with speed of blue light,
To my lonely room, dreary cell all the night.

Debbie
_________________
"No greater love..."

[Navyolsalt]

A Shipmate Has Fallen
By: Robert K. Tucker
In Memory of LTJG Vaughn, USN
Vietnam 1969

Seas were choppy, the day gloomy as rain fell all round
DD-446 USS Radford the name of this fast moving Gray Hound
Her mission a sad one twas the last cruise for a man that she carried
To the seas of Vietnam for him to be buried

This man was a good one who died for his country, freedom, and peace
He left his Mother, Brother and Niece

The “Our Father” was said when we committed him to the deep
The crew stood proudly by him and tired not to weep

Yes, freedom we’ll have his shipmates pledged to him then
We saluted him for the last time and ended with, Amen.

[Navymomx2]

This is a poem I wrote back in December 2000. I belong to an internet group for Navymoms. We started doing a variety of exchanges and one is a Christmas Ornament Exchange. I found inspiration with the ornament I bought, it looked like a medal with an Eagle on it and on the back was "Together We Serve" dedicated to members of the Military.

Many of us have been together over 4 years and have become very dear friends.

"Together We Serve"

Together We Serve,
In a branch unlike any,
Our number grow to many.

Together We Serve,
Also defending the Red, White and blue,
Our Honor, Courage and Commitment will always be true.

Together We Serve,
Our hearts filled with pride,
It's something we just can't hide.

Together We Serve,
We are the ones,
Giving our daughter's and our son's.

Together We Serve,
We share the Blue and Gold,
The combination is oh so bold.

Together We Serve,
We share our Joys and our Fears,
We shall be together for many years.

Together We Serve,
In a family not like other's,
We are US Navy Mother's.
_________________
Proud 2 Star Blue Star Navy Mom

Honor, Courage and Committment
something John F. Kerry doesn't have

[Papa Yolk]

Horizontal Butt Stroke and Slash

Fat-ass inertia, they said,
would drive my rifle's butt
to break gook's head
then step in
ride the bayonet
down zipper ribs and shirttail gut with him
slant-eyes wide and falling

Jump, they said
shove in the blade until the barrel
thumps his chest

Stomp his whimpering throat,
it helps the steel pull free
from warm muscle's grip
and by now I was gasping
and had to piss,
thinking of facing
that gook being trained
to do the same

[oasis]

One Life To Give

If I had one life to give I would give it to you

To you who needs to be made happy

To you who has been made sad

Tonight a light was given to me to give to you

Rise up he awaits

He is waiting with his arms wide open

He is waiting go to him
_________________
-Oasis

Please donate to the.. RED CROSS

[Tanya]

A friend of my brother sent this to him last year. He sent it to me
and said that it must be passed on every year.

Merry Christmas, My Friend

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.

I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

anonymous

[reconflyer]

No One Sees

No one sees my tear-filled eyes
When I'm riding in my pick-up truck and I hear another man's died.

I sometimes think they do, but they don't.

My six year old daughter can see. "Daddy, are you all right". I choke back the tears when she's by my side.

I've wiped the dust from my boots. I've climbed aboard. Our world is one when you are there one minute and gone the next. I've held the sword.

I've lost some friends, theirs as beautiful a life as any, leaving children and loved ones behind. Their calling was high. Their noblity nigh.

Empty is my soul for their loss. For any loss. Still, without courage, without strength, without core we are coreless, adrift. Doomed.

When you feel the tears let them flow, for they are like prayer. They are not wasted, no, never wasted.

They fall in the pools of heaven.

reconflyer
_________________
Active duty AF 1986-Present
Enlisted Aircrew 1990-Present

[Adnil77]

Forgotten Soldier
This song is dedicated to all of the brave men and women who served in Vietnam, and to their families. A hero’s welcome you all deserved; and never got.


Forgotten Soldier

I know the wounds, for some of you, have never gone away. The pain you feel, and scars you bear; remind you every day. And even though it should have been said many years ago. From those of us, who really care, we wanted you to know.

Forgotten Soldier, we are very proud of you. We can't begin to know, all that you've been going through. So please forgive us for not saying this before. We want to 'thank you', and hope you won't hurt anymore….Forgotten Soldier.

Though time has passed, the memories are still fresh on your mind. Of coming home to angry looks, and words that were unkind. You bravely did the only thing that you were told to do. You all deserve a special 'thanks'. And so from us to you:

Forgotten Soldier, we are very proud of you. We can't begin to know, all that you've been going through. So please forgive us for not saying this before. We want to 'thank you', and hope you won't hurt anymore….Forgotten Soldier.

You too are heroes in our eyes. Even though you've been denied this tribute, that has been long overdue. This song's for you.

(Instrumental Solo)

Forgotten Soldier, we are very proud of you. We can't begin to know, all that you've been going through. So please forgive us for not saying this before. We want to 'thank you', 'thank you', and hope you won't hurt anymore….Remembered Soldier


Written by Linda & Greg Lewis.
Performed by Linda & Greg Lewis, with Ron Brandon.

© 1992, BMI.

[oasis]

Hello,

[AMOS]

The FINAL INSPECTION one is a KILLER.............but it's a "keeper".

[oasis]

Hello,

A short story..