Poets Forum
REASSIGNMENT
Feet timed to rigid cadence now Beneath VA pajama uniforms.
Instead of reveille, it’s vital signs Non-regimented schedule daily norm. Wheelchair maneuvers to the canteen floor,
Like R and R from sessions even yet Where medics chart progress by his recall
On scenes he only wishes to forget.
But some days he blanks out hospital walls,
Salutes an orderly with brisk command
Eyes focused on imagined stars and stripes,
Reviews in dress parade a marching band.
His buddy holds him by one empty sleeve
Until from sightless eyes slow teardrops start.
He cries for comrades marching on his mind
Inside that shell there beats a purple heart.
— Faye Boyette Wise Benton
VETERANS DAY
On Veterans Day we should recall That freedom is not free,
And thank our God and founders for Sweet land of liberty.
— Don Crowson Deceased
HAIKU
Veterans Day the Bradford pear turning orange
— Pat Laster Benton
LEST WE FORGET
Today is Veterans Day in the land of the free. A day to say, “Thank you” to every hero you meet and count all the freedoms they help make come true. God just painted the sky red, white, and blue.
— Mike Pafundi Deceased
SAW A SOLDIER
I saw a soldier cry today.
His tears ran through the blood.
His men were falling everywhere, He saved the ones he could.
I saw a soldier smile today.
His men were true and brave.
They fought the fight he asked them to;
Their all was what they gave.
I saw a soldier pray today,
But something touched me more. For on his lips, these words I heard, “Dear God, please end this war.” I saw a soldier home today;
His fight has kept me free.
He is the guard who stands for us
To keep our liberty.
I saw a soldier stand today,
One artificial limb
Held close the ones he loved the most, Cause he earned it for them.
— Dennis Patton Alexander
WHISTLE ME A MEMORY
Sometimes a lonely train whistle splits the silence of the night taking me back to that narrow Pullman on a crowded train whizzing west when I was very young and rules were for the old.
— Verna Lee Hinegardner Former Poet Laureate
THE COMPETITION
A politician, ready to vote, knew our country’s in a sinking boat, thought about it a lot, then marked the right spot by voting for the other old goat.
—Cathy Parker Alexander Deceased