When You Think of Liberty Think of Me

When you honor the red, white, and blue
When you celebrate our nation's Liberty
Think of the one who's been beside you
in spirit, in heart, in body...
No being could be as loyal as me, for I am
your best friend, your partner... your family

When our nation was young
I was the runner, carrying messages
in a war that would leave us undone
where brother fought beside brother.

And, alone in the face of terror
I moved through enemy lines,
as families fought one another,
my mission foremost in my mind.

I was the one waiting for you even though
I sensed you would not be coming home
I languished on our wooden porch
growing thinner, until the war was over
and my days on earth were done.

I was in the trenches, fields, and meadows
accompanying you into foreign lands.
With you in the jungles and swamps
and at your heels on hot, dusty roads
or on blistering, desert sands.

I have been first in the line of fire
first to enter a field laden with mines
putting myself in your stead.
I went unflinching, leading,
to wherever, doing whatever you said.

With you I've jumped from the belly of a plane
dropping into places neither of us had ever seen.
All for the greater glory and good. All for humanity.

When a bullet took your life I laid by your side
my chin on your chest--despair in my eyes.
Content to have remained with you,
until a man in our unit lifted me up,
carrying me back to the war... as he cried.

When we had parted, when you'd gone home
and when on foreign soil I was left all alone
through no fault of your own I was forsaken.

The government advised you that your friend
and helper; the soldier who'd been by your side,
would not be accompanying you home...
To our home, our country, I could not be taken.

And so it was that we were aba ndoned
after you tearfully told us we could not follow
the men with whom we had served.

Confusion set in as we watched you depart;
being left behind, we had not deserved.
You left us dispirited, empty, and hollow
for we had given to you all of our all.
Like ghosts were we, missing our souls,
for you had taken with you... our hearts

I have been injured for you.
And I have died for you.
In your absence I have wasted away
from the loss of you.

I'm the scruffy, thin dog sitting quietly
next to the veteran in his wheelchair.
On the hill, the band plays a song
and the man softly cries, while
fireworks light up the night's air.

Gently I place my paw on his knee
lay my muzzle on his withered leg.
He looks at the small flag he is clutching
then he turns his attention to me.

His eyes are filled with thoughts and tears
but his smile is as warm as the sun.
Thank you f or reminding me, says he,
what's been sacrificed for the freedom we've won.

In the now, we cannot know
who will be needing who.
But what you may not know is
that when you'll be needing me
I'll be needing and looking for you.

We've been a team, you and me
through the many years
that have shaped this land,
and God has blessed us mightily.

So, every now and then, thank me--
with a look, kind words, and the
touch of a gentle hand...

When you think of Liberty
and count the reasons you are free
Don't forget to think of me!

Copyright Kathy Pippig Harris

Kathy lives in California's San Joaquin Valley with her husband and furry family. She is a weekly columnist for the publication Frank Talk and a published author of five novels. She states, Were it not for her need, desire, and love of writing -- she would surely go mad!

Author:: Kathy Pippig Harris
Keywords:: Military Dogs,Military,service Dogs,Holidays,Liberty,war Dogs,Dogs
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It's Snowing!

Its Snowing! Its Snowing!
The little boy cried
Wide-eyed with Excitement
At the whiteness outside

A blanket that covers
As far as the eye sees
So pure and new
Even covering the trees

Lets go for a Sleigh ride!
Hes Eager and Keen
Spoiling the newness
Leaving tracks where hes been

Sliding down Hills
Making Snowmen
Throwing Snowballs
At his older brother Ben

Toes tingling with cold
He doesnt seem to care
All this Fun for one small boy
Surely, it isnt fair!

Time for bed now
The day has been long
Hell awaken in the morning
To find the Snow has all gone

I write about everyday occurrences and events that have either happened to me or to others. I had my first poem published in a magazine when I was 10 years old.

I have been writing poetry for many years and regularly have it published in print. My poetry is published by Forward Press and in m any other publications. So I'm now putting my poetry online. I publish my poetry on my Blog jo-hale-poetry at http://jo-hale-poetry.blogspot.com/ and on 8hop.com My poetry on 8hop.com. I also have information about my poetry at http://www.squidoo.com/jo-hale-poetry. I'm married to my husband Peter. I was born in May 1970 and am a Taurean star sign.

Author:: Joanne Hale
Keywords:: Snowing, Snow, Fun, Excitement, Sleigh, Childhood, Hills, Snowballs, Sleigh ride, Eager, Keen, Ice
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Feelings O How Glorious!

Sometimes we feel hard-pressed,
Our backs against the wall;
Sometimes we feel lightheaded,
As if we are going to fall.

Sometimes we feel fierce anger
At those who misuse guns;
Sometimes we feel ashamed
Of how we treat God's little ones.

Sometimes we feel excited,
As when a birthday nears;
Sometimes we feel withdrawn
And retreat to inner spheres.

Sometimes we feel so lonely,
Without a friend or foe;
Sometimes we feel confused,
Can't decide which way to go.

Sometimes we feel too sensitive,
Weep over some small thing;
Sometimes we feel quite infantile
And desire pampering.

Sometimes we feel depressed,
Lost in pity and despair;
Sometimes we feel great serenity,
Strolling the beach somewhere.

Sometimes we feel deep hurt
When treated loathingly;
Sometimes we feel frustration,
When given the third degree.

Sometimes we feel divine,
Spir itually renewed;
Sometimes we feel tranquil,
Relaxed in solitude.

Sometimes we feel loving,
Wanting to kiss and hug;
Sometimes we feel defiant
Must resist an all out tug.

Sometimes we feel deep grief,
When someone we loved has died;
Sometimes we feel outraged,
When our rights have been denied.

Sometimes we feel resentful
For no particular reason at all.
Sometime we feel like fighting
Against injustice and unfair gall.

We experience all kinds of Feelings
From the sanguine to the crass;
They're as changing as the seasons,
And as fragile as fine glass.

A sacred gift, our Feelings
God gave to each one of us.
To feel His boundless love;
Feelings, O how glorious!

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available soon.

You are welcome to visit AMEN Ministries: Your Soul's Service Station for spiritual refreshing, soul edification, browse our newly expanded mini shopping mall or review our recommended books you may want to add to your personal library.

Blessings to all!

Author:: Saundra L. Washington
Keywords:: Feelings,God,Poem,Poetry,
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Three November Poems

Show-shine Boy

Im warm
Safe
Surrounded by books
Under my heart beat
Resides a phantom
an old drunk
On the long walk
From 12 to 58
I never forgot
The Shoe-shine Boy
In me!!
I never ran out of polish;
When I looked into my shine,
As now, I do, into my poems
Saying: Whats next?
Unhurried, unfurled
I ended up here
Here, writing this poem
It cleverly fits
Into my life, so nice
I drink my latte
Here at the B.N., Caf
(a stir-stick, in hand)
Somehow I feel, really feel:
This is just the beginning

#934 11-22-05

Fears Intentions

Fear, O fear, go to sleep Undiscoveredso you creep

Repulsive, at its very least! You shall not mould me in my Sleep!...

And when he has gone, far away Awkward things, seem to stay

Like plastic clay, I seem to be Waiting for fear, to return to Me!...

#932 11-22-05

The Balconies of Lima, Peru

how swi ft: I step from one to one!

A moment out of the day

The winds upon my brow

A breath taken away; away by The balconies of Lima, Peru

(Most beautiful in the world!) Here is where, within the shadows

Of the Plaza de Arms

Is where kings and conquerors

Once ruled

here! here the air is still,

Warm as the orchards in spring Warm as the Sacred Valleys afternoon.

Here is where the balconies sing! With a ghostly fragrance in the air,

Here along the streets of Lima, Peru Here, here is where they sing, sing

Of the long lost folklores, Of long ago

Note: I have traveled the world over, in Spain, Lisbon, New Orleans, etc., and Ive yet to find any balconies equal to Limas; even in Italy, and 59-other countries. #929 11-19-2005

See Dennis' web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

Author:: Dennis Siluk
Keywords:: Poetry
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Where There Is a Metaphor

A Metaphor is a figure of Speech that describes one thing, Concept, or action in terms of another one. A Metaphor interacts with Language intimately, creating relationships between things and Ideas not recognized before. When a Metaphor is the exact opposite of what it describes, it is called a collusion or a collision.

Although a Metaphor is quite like a Simile, it does not use words of resemblance such as like or as when it describes something.

Metaphors are either Plain or implied. A whirlwind of Ideas is a Plain Metaphor. The numbers rained on him, His smile sinned when he looked at her, and Jane knifed my wound are implied Metaphors. Implied Metaphors are cherished by Poets and writers more than the Plain ones. Since they are usually made with Verbs, they bring Life and excitement to an Expression. Yet, Plain or implied, all Metaphors can be overused or abused like other good things.

At the beginning, when I tried to write Poetry, I had a run-in with Metaphors, only because I loved Metaphors a lot. I thought they worked wonders, and since I believed Metaphors were my strength, I used them too often and too indiscriminately.

Imagine a Christmas tree with decorations building up to a single shining star, which has a beautiful meaning in its fundamental nature. Well, my Christmas tree had many stars all around it with all of them fighting with that star on top for brightness, so much so that my Poems became disorientated in a traffic jam of Metaphors.

I stopped my romp with Metaphors when a wonderful teacher pointed out to me, ever so gently, what I had been doing. I will forever be grateful to her as long as I use Metaphors. She told me to use one master Metaphor, and if I felt like adding extras, I should make the additional Metaphors wo rk under that one master.

Now, I go with her formula especially in a short Poems; one central Metaphor with all the other less significant ones building up to it. In other words, for each Christmas tree there needs be only one very bright star on top.

With a Metaphor one can express an Idea more pointedly and more delicately than one can express by using a roomful of adjectives and adVerbs. For example, an amateur could be saying this:

When he moved the position of his cap, it was visible that his head was covered by white hair, which was holy, sacred, saintly, distinct, untainted, not dirtied, much adored, spiritually aristocratic, and shining brightly with a circular light.

Here is how a great Poet has said it with a Metaphor so eloquently.

And white the unpigmented
Halo of his hair
When he shifted his cap:
from Night Game by Robert Pinsky

Let us look at the word Metaphor. Meta means across, phor means Carry somethi ng like a Ferry. So, a Metaphor must Carry across a meaning by using a physical image which stands for an abstract thought.

The Poet Jane Yolen--in an interview--said:

In Greece the word metafora is a kind of moving van and so as you drive around, you see trucks with METAFORA on the side. They are shifting a lot of stuff under the watchful eye of the stone-draped ladies of the Parthenon. There's a Poem there.

Jane Yolen was so right. Where there is a good Metaphor that is wisely used, there is a Poem there.

Joy Cagil is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Poetry. Her portfolio can be found at http://www.Writing.Com/authors/joycag

Author:: Joy Cagil
Keywords:: Poem,Poet,Poetry,Metaphor,Simile,Speech,Idea,Concept,Plain,Life,Expression,Carry,Ferry,Verb,Lan guage
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Ghandi the Great Liberator

Ghandi the great
Inferiority found no place in you
By passive resistance
Non-cooperation
Civil disobedience
Holding to the higher law
The sanctity of human life
The dignity of the individual
Honoring the teachings of Jesus
Truth and Firmness
Inward strength
Outward humility
Overthrowing the cast system
Respecting each persons dignity
Fighting for equality
Obtaining governmental concessions
For Indians in South Africa
You gained recognition
Abolishing the poll tax
Perseveringly never regressing
Continually pressing
Arranging demonstrations
Opposing colonial masters
Controlling your country
Indians in public office governmentally
Resigned and boycotted
Children were removed
From British run school s
Indians sat and blocked the streets
Not cowering
To the beatings of British police
Soon Ghandi from prison was released
The revolutionary and leader
Would not be appeased
Peaceably resisting
Without violence
Though the British massacred Indians
At Amritsar, Punjab mercilessly
You continued fearlessly
Bringing reforms throughout society
Independence economically
Self-rulership a necessity
To lift your people
Out of poverty
The international symbol
Of a free India
Ghandi the beloved liberator
You remained ever so humble
Dressing in the lowliest Indian garments
Surviving on vegetables, fruit, and milk
Your didnt require costly silk
Revered by your people as a saint
Mahatma (great-souled) Ghandi
You enlightened the world to see
That we can truly live peaceably
Refrain from hostility
Advocate our causes passionately
Always embrace purity
Love all mankind w holeheartedly
Such a life of serving humanity
Brought you executive authority
To promote righteousness
Throughout your beloved country
Propagating communal unity
Concern and charity
Denying yourself when need be
To display public disapproval
That freedom might come to the oppressed
Undertaking a fast unto death
As your heart burned for justice
To improve the status of the Untouchables
You dedicated yourself to eradicate
The injustices of the caste system
Primarily untouchability
Your fasts forced reforms
Modified autocratic rules
Intervened politically repeatedly
Putting all on hold
Until your approval was told
Rejecting compromises
You did not sell your soul
Settling not for partial victories
You sought the whole
Complete liberation
Independence of your homeland
Ghandi youre a brave man
Sincere and strong
Steadfastly opposing
The partitioning of India
Pursuing internal peace
Between Muslims and Hindus
A religious fanatic
Preferring war
Foolishly killed you
Obviously unaware
Of what your death would do
Bringing peace betwee
India and Pakistan
Nevertheless your death Ghandi
Was an international catastrophe
Yet a platform it prepared for thee
To inspire nonviolent movements
And peaceful activism globally
Therefore let the Truth
March on peacefully!

Paul is a popular worldwide keynote speaker, mediator, peace-maker conquering conflicts, creative consultant, minister, liberator and dream-maker.

Paul's compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul has served in many war-torn, impoverished and tsunami stricken regions of the earth.

Paul has traveled throughout India, having visited the country 5 times and lived there 9 months. His organization Dream-Maker Inc. is b uilding dreams, breaking limitations and reviving nations. Paul's teachings touch, transcend barriers that divide and transform individuals and organizations.

Paul's Breakthrough Seminars inspire, revive, awaken, impregnate with purpose, impart the fire of desire, catapult people into a new level of self-awareness, facilitate destiny discovery and dream fulfillment.

Contact Paul to minister, speak at your event or for life coaching: RevivingNations@yahoo.com 407-284-1705, 407-967-7553.

For additional info: http://www.DreamMakerMinistries.com, http://www.CreativeCommunications.TV

Author:: Paul Davis
Keywords:: Ghandi the Great Liberator,peaceful activism,nonviolent resistance,civil disobedience,Truth,Firmness
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Marraige and Love Respectfully

MARRAIGE I dont want to be alone.
I want to feel alive.
I dont want to be alone, either.
I want to feel alive, too.
I feel alive with you.
I do.

I wish I could be alone.
I dont feel alive.
Are you going to change?
I feel alive.

Are you going to change?
I dont want to be alone.
Im not going to change.
I dont feel alive.

Im glad it is over.
I gave up to soon.
I could have been alone a bit longer, then I would have found you.
I shouldve changed.
Im not in Love.
If I didnt change I would have never found you.
I am in Love.

I get it.
My last breath- with you

LOVE Life did not give us time and I have wasted so much not realizing how little we have left.

It is what it is supposed to be, but that doesnt lesson the Pain of the breaths I must take without you.

Remind your Soul everyday that if you should leave this world before me, to return and m ake Love to me in my Dreams.

Respectfully,

I believe most people ignore and suppress their Soul, because they were never given truthful answers to their why's or they were/are afraid to ask. Pain and bliss are part of the drama of life and Love. The bliss is always worth the Pain. I believe we can not live completely until we are selfish for our Souls. This means 100% of the time you must be willing to change first.

A former computer professor turned Internet writer, I have combined elements of the film,music,and publishing industries to create a new genre exclusive to the Internet- Digi-Tome's. Interested in a different way of learning and beautiful way of living, I created the world's first digi-tome, life.

Copyright 2006 Patti Pacifico
http://www.pattipacifico.com http://www.respectfully-pattipacifico.com

Author:: Patti Pacifico
Keywords:: Love,Happiness,Marraige,Marry,Divorce,Lover's prayer,make Love,Dreams,Soul,truthful answe rs,Pain,Sad
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