© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
The headstone is no different
Than thousands that are just like it
No standing out, no stand alone,
Just standing there, a known headstone.
A mom, a dad, a brother dear,
A wife, a child visit him here,
They come together or by ones
To visit the sacrificial American sons.
They paid the price, the highest cost
To keep us free, no liberties lost,
Gave more than strength, limb, or life,
They gave your heart, too, cut with grief’s knife.
And now the stone, cold, but strong,
Helps your life to move along
And when you visit, this one headstone,
Your memories are not alone.
For other visitors, to other stones,
Are there with you, their memories hone,
The feeling of the place you stand,
In Freedom’s marker for this great land.
Although we visit not the stone,
We ask you to know you’re not alone
We understand the sacrifice,
And thank you all for the given life.
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
Inspired by this photo.
Again, I remember that WOMEN also serve and I thank them, too. The terms used fit the cadence of the poem, but does NOT reflect any negation of women serving, too.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
One Foot Away
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
On fields of death and glory
In times of troubles deep
‘Tis men of honor, courage
Whose efforts freedom keeps.
A step away from eternal
Rest of endless days
A foot away from friend; suddenly,
Friend’s breath goes away.
A foot away from danger
As EID explodes
Two more platoon mates
Gone now; downed on rough dirt roads.
Home and loved ones beckon
As oft as heart beats in breast,
He stays for them and others
For freedom’s life’s behest.
Until they all come home now,
Until the last returns,
Keep them all in prayers
For they make freedom’s light burn!
# # # # # #
I know that there are women serving in our armed forces as well. I do not mean to deny that. I use the term "men" here as in "mankind" and not as a gender. I thank ALL of our men and women who serve, or have served, and someday will serve. I can never thank you enough. GOD Bless You All!
On fields of death and glory
In times of troubles deep
‘Tis men of honor, courage
Whose efforts freedom keeps.
A step away from eternal
Rest of endless days
A foot away from friend; suddenly,
Friend’s breath goes away.
A foot away from danger
As EID explodes
Two more platoon mates
Gone now; downed on rough dirt roads.
Home and loved ones beckon
As oft as heart beats in breast,
He stays for them and others
For freedom’s life’s behest.
Until they all come home now,
Until the last returns,
Keep them all in prayers
For they make freedom’s light burn!
# # # # # #
I know that there are women serving in our armed forces as well. I do not mean to deny that. I use the term "men" here as in "mankind" and not as a gender. I thank ALL of our men and women who serve, or have served, and someday will serve. I can never thank you enough. GOD Bless You All!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Arguing In Circles
Believe it or not, I spent about five hours “debating” with a member-but-non-member of “Anonymous” overnight. I found out that they don’t have members, they vote but don’t actually, and they count the votes that they don’t take but they don’t count them because they take them. There are no leaders, just people who persuade and if someone thinks something is a good idea, it just gets done, but it isn’t something that they tell you to do because they tell you to do it but not. Yes. It went exactly like that. My head is still pounding with the illogic of it. Maddening. So, I did what I always do. I wrote a poem about it. And here it is for your enjoyment:
by and © 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
I talked to you for quite a while,
all the time with just a smile,
at what you thought was "logical"
but was actually hodgepodgical.
You argued this and you argued that
turned around and rephrased the cat,
and said the air was blue-aful,
or maybe good was only awful.
The circles run 'round by your thoughts
engulfed a yacht and half a box
of chocolate covered Langoliers
and reduced me almost straight to tears.
When once you said that X was true,
then posting later it's opposite rue,
you made my head spin on its stalk
to you it was so hard to talk.
When discussing facts you had some straight,
but logic, reason - oh fate! - escaped,
and just because you said Y here
you pulled it back and held it dear.
Retractions none came from your mouth
quixotic behemoth north is south.
Believe yourself a great debater
believe me, sir, negotiator
If but a whiff of logic stirs
you'd stamp it down, cover with myrrh,
and froth up waffles to dungeon couture
escaping molecule of reason mature.
Deny not your illogical tome
it sits safely on Twitter's home.
If this is Z, but it's not, and "C",
or W is N but cannot be...
Be still my brain, relax and calm
let this poem be my balm.
When illogical logic circles you
Just remember, they haven't a clue.
by and © 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
by and © 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
I talked to you for quite a while,
all the time with just a smile,
at what you thought was "logical"
but was actually hodgepodgical.
You argued this and you argued that
turned around and rephrased the cat,
and said the air was blue-aful,
or maybe good was only awful.
The circles run 'round by your thoughts
engulfed a yacht and half a box
of chocolate covered Langoliers
and reduced me almost straight to tears.
When once you said that X was true,
then posting later it's opposite rue,
you made my head spin on its stalk
to you it was so hard to talk.
When discussing facts you had some straight,
but logic, reason - oh fate! - escaped,
and just because you said Y here
you pulled it back and held it dear.
Retractions none came from your mouth
quixotic behemoth north is south.
Believe yourself a great debater
believe me, sir, negotiator
If but a whiff of logic stirs
you'd stamp it down, cover with myrrh,
and froth up waffles to dungeon couture
escaping molecule of reason mature.
Deny not your illogical tome
it sits safely on Twitter's home.
If this is Z, but it's not, and "C",
or W is N but cannot be...
Be still my brain, relax and calm
let this poem be my balm.
When illogical logic circles you
Just remember, they haven't a clue.
by and © 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
A Haiku: Moon, Silver
To Our Troops:
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
Moon, silver,
Shining bright, outlines
Safety guards.
Moon, silver,
Serenely smile on
Warriors.
Moon, silver,
Keeping evil bayed,
Heroes stand.
Moon, silver,
Seeing all, one falls
All feel pain.
Moon, silver,
Set not until, soon,
All return.
Moon, silver,
Welcome home, our troops
Into love.
Moon, silver,
Bless all those who gave,
Are above.
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
Inspired by: This pic!
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
Moon, silver,
Shining bright, outlines
Safety guards.
Moon, silver,
Serenely smile on
Warriors.
Moon, silver,
Keeping evil bayed,
Heroes stand.
Moon, silver,
Seeing all, one falls
All feel pain.
Moon, silver,
Set not until, soon,
All return.
Moon, silver,
Welcome home, our troops
Into love.
Moon, silver,
Bless all those who gave,
Are above.
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
Inspired by: This pic!
Friday, July 27, 2012
I'll Hold You, My Child, Up Here In My Heart
By and © 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
For Landon and all of the war babies who never knew their Dads
I knew about you before you were born and
Loved you from moment one. I imagined your smile
Your little bitty toes, your baby blue eyes and your cute button nose.
And I held you in my heart, not yet in my arms, and
Knew from that moment you held my heart. Even though I
Had not met you as yet, you had my completely, feelings I’ll never forget.
Then my country called me away and you went with me
In so many ways as I carried you in my heart. I missed you
So much that when all alone I cried a little, wanting to get home.
You cheered me up when I was down, gave me courage
as I stood my ground. You were born just three weeks
ago, seven pounds, three ounces; my how you’ve grown.
Now I watch over you from up above, an enemy’s bullet
Took me from your love. But you’re still with me
As I with you and I’ll watch over your mother and you.
I’ll watch you grow up, get married, have kids,
all from above. I’ll hold you forever, no matter how far,
I’ll hold you, my child, up here in my heart.
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
For Landon and all of the war babies who never knew their Dads
I knew about you before you were born and
Loved you from moment one. I imagined your smile
Your little bitty toes, your baby blue eyes and your cute button nose.
And I held you in my heart, not yet in my arms, and
Knew from that moment you held my heart. Even though I
Had not met you as yet, you had my completely, feelings I’ll never forget.
Then my country called me away and you went with me
In so many ways as I carried you in my heart. I missed you
So much that when all alone I cried a little, wanting to get home.
You cheered me up when I was down, gave me courage
as I stood my ground. You were born just three weeks
ago, seven pounds, three ounces; my how you’ve grown.
Now I watch over you from up above, an enemy’s bullet
Took me from your love. But you’re still with me
As I with you and I’ll watch over your mother and you.
I’ll watch you grow up, get married, have kids,
all from above. I’ll hold you forever, no matter how far,
I’ll hold you, my child, up here in my heart.
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
Saturday, July 7, 2012
A Service Dog's Loss
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
His eyes spoke volumes, his heart was bereft,
His voice was nowhere, his buddy had left.
His loss was complete, his master was gone,
Even so, he must carry on.
Others depended on him, they needed his skill,
He must keep going, though lost of life’s will.
He remembered the times, the fun times of play,
The way his master said, “Let’s do good today.”
Together they saved lives, just not this one,
The one of his master, his favorite Army son.
His eyes spoke volumes, his heart was bereft,
His voice was nowhere, his buddy had left.
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
His eyes spoke volumes, his heart was bereft,
His voice was nowhere, his buddy had left.
His loss was complete, his master was gone,
Even so, he must carry on.
Others depended on him, they needed his skill,
He must keep going, though lost of life’s will.
He remembered the times, the fun times of play,
The way his master said, “Let’s do good today.”
Together they saved lives, just not this one,
The one of his master, his favorite Army son.
His eyes spoke volumes, his heart was bereft,
His voice was nowhere, his buddy had left.
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
The Foundling Fathers
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
The Founding Fathers heard Freedom’s cry --
Though other countries had passed her by --
And picking up this Foundling child
Gave her a home in this country wild.
Freedom’s love for Fathers grew
And multiplied by fours and twos.
Freedom’s love touched hearts of men
And tyranny ne’er held place again.
The Foundling child – denied far and wide –
In Amerca people took her side,
Against the King of England’s shores
The Foundling’s Fathers for her implored.
America now a burning light
Of Freedom’s virtues of all men’s rights
The Foundling’s Fathers declared her life
Worth fighting for ‘gainst gun or knife.
And so began the cost of war
Paid by many as nary before.
Freedom’s cry touched many a heart,
Brand new nation, had its start.
A victory, first one then two,
And Foundling Freedom’s red, white and blue
Was lifted high through rocket’s glare
And Foundling’s Fathers saw Freedom there.
She’s been since then in every fight,
America’s bright and guiding light,
This Foundling child other countries trod on
Became the world’s favorite beacon.
Two-hundred Thirty-six years later now
As other people come take the vow
That Foundling child – the Fathers’ pride –
Writ large in history, the change of tide…
The Foundling Fathers chose Foundling child
Gave her a home in this nation wild
And child, in turn, turned Freedom’s face
Into our nation’s greatest grace.
GOD blessed America with Freedom’s light
He gave within us sense of wrong and right.
And if we listen we hear the drum
The beat of Freedom in our heart becomes.
Thank GOD for Freedom; remember as well
Those who no longer the tale can tell
For in those lives was Freedom’s price paid
Freedom’s Foundling’s Fathers her call obeyed.
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
The Founding Fathers heard Freedom’s cry --
Though other countries had passed her by --
And picking up this Foundling child
Gave her a home in this country wild.
Freedom’s love for Fathers grew
And multiplied by fours and twos.
Freedom’s love touched hearts of men
And tyranny ne’er held place again.
The Foundling child – denied far and wide –
In Amerca people took her side,
Against the King of England’s shores
The Foundling’s Fathers for her implored.
America now a burning light
Of Freedom’s virtues of all men’s rights
The Foundling’s Fathers declared her life
Worth fighting for ‘gainst gun or knife.
And so began the cost of war
Paid by many as nary before.
Freedom’s cry touched many a heart,
Brand new nation, had its start.
A victory, first one then two,
And Foundling Freedom’s red, white and blue
Was lifted high through rocket’s glare
And Foundling’s Fathers saw Freedom there.
She’s been since then in every fight,
America’s bright and guiding light,
This Foundling child other countries trod on
Became the world’s favorite beacon.
Two-hundred Thirty-six years later now
As other people come take the vow
That Foundling child – the Fathers’ pride –
Writ large in history, the change of tide…
The Foundling Fathers chose Foundling child
Gave her a home in this nation wild
And child, in turn, turned Freedom’s face
Into our nation’s greatest grace.
GOD blessed America with Freedom’s light
He gave within us sense of wrong and right.
And if we listen we hear the drum
The beat of Freedom in our heart becomes.
Thank GOD for Freedom; remember as well
Those who no longer the tale can tell
For in those lives was Freedom’s price paid
Freedom’s Foundling’s Fathers her call obeyed.
© 2012 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved
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