Reader Contributions

Support the Troops *Past, Present and Future*

~Sandra Darlene~ ©2003
Be very thankful for those who have served with honor to be brave
Although some are fallen soldiers they are not forgotten to the grave
Men and women in the military become heroes for all they may give
In generation to generation all are reminded in the freedom they live
Highest respect should be given to men and women in or out of war
In their homeland, abroad while in the sky, the raging sea or on shore
Their families should also be admired for everything they go through
As everyone should support the troops no matter one's point of view
Keep in mind they are defending to conquer freedom for you and me
From those of yesterday, today and tomorrow through history to see
A mix of emotions from the trumpet sound of taps or victory cheers
Remember all have given equal through a lot of hope, joy and tears
Wounded or lives lost will not bring defeat only unity like before
Unknown of the where about of those missing or prisoners at war
Day or night they will not be forgotten as others search the ground
Many search high and low with determination for all to be found
From the north, south, east or west and during every day or night
The soldiers have families where some are so far out of their sight
With memories to hold on to which can help them make it through
And love to hold in their heart even after their returning debut
For some have babies being born as their children grow up so fast
They have no idea how long each time away from home will last
While they wait for the mail call for anything to come their way
To hear from a friend, loved one or a stranger to support and pray
It takes so long for mail to come or go out where it needs to be
Unless it may be e-mail for it is as fast as hitting the next key
As they cherish every word like they never have quite done before
For it helps keep their spirits lifted while they are away at war
While some call it political as others say it is for freedom to all
Each life is worth more for freedom than politics to stand tall
Since men and woman gave their time to all working as a team
Makes everyday that goes by a day to live the American dream

R I P

by Jerry Fuller
When you’re a long way from home, in a land you can’t call your own,
Your thoughts sometimes roam,
to places you’ve seen, and places you wish to go,
most of all, to the memories of those you love so!
As I look back over the years, I know I was instilled,
with pride, respect, and confidence!
I was taught to work hard and always have a future plan!
I felt a need, so of UNCLE SAM’S calling, I took heed!
I was doing something I knew MUST be done!
I became o­ne of the chosen few!
Now as the battles rage, in my heart, you still hold center stage!
And forever I will always be, a young soldier, fighting for a just cause!
May you each day pause, and thank God, for the others that feel just like me ,
about LIBERTY!!!
Don’t call me a hero, just take my memory, wherever you go!
And when they offload my flag draped coffin from the plane,
don’t dismay!!!
Remember, I did my best, so you and others can remain free!!!
And now, I like so many others gone before,
REST IN PEACE!!
MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Trail of Tears - Seen Through a Child's Eyes

by Marilyn Beal-Bauer

I am only six summers old
I am too cold to walk in
sandals upon the deep snow.
Don't the light-skinned men on horses see this?
I have watched them with their children - so kind.
But I have never seen them like this - so cold - as cold as ice.

I don't understand why we are
leaving our warm homes.
It's so confusing.
I don't understand anything anymore.
I'm too afraid to ask my mother
what's happening to our lives.

I don't even recognize my mother's face.
Her face has become hardened and carved like wood.
So much like my dolls I had to leave behind.
Just like my dolls, her face resembles knotty-pine.
I miss my dolls.

This is wrong!
We shouldn't be forced to do this.
So many of us have died.
I wish I could make sense
of what's the reason for this -
I'm confused - what did we do to
deserve this? I can't think of any bad thing
we did to the light-skinned man. I am
so frightened for me, my mother and my tribe.
I am only six summers old.
I do not want to die.

Even our wise old elders do not speak.
I see them only cry and plead.
Our strong, young, brave warriors
cannot stop the soldier's march.
when they try to talk reason,
the soldiers just shoot, turn on their horses
and leave our braves to bleed, to die.
We cannot bury them - the soldiers say "There's no time".
So we walk and grieve.

My father died the very first day.
Since that day, my mother's face has not changed.
He bravely faced a soldier face to face.
My father spoke two white man's words, "Have mercy"
And in the reply the soldier shot him in the face.

I am only six summers old
but I think I don't like the pale-skinned face.

The White Owl

(Dorsimbra)
He felt the haunting lure of spectral bird
As told by Tribal Chief in mournful ode.
His lovely bride remembered every word
Of doom foretold, to those where it abode
If came silently
from out the dark
ethereal creature
with moondisk face.
They found the snow-white owl o­ne winter's night
Atop the house, as though it meant to stay.
That Spring he stood beside a floral mound...
He felt the haunting lure of spectral bird.

White Buffalo

(Villanelle)
One summer day when earth was bethed in light
And bison roamed the plains and grassy land,
A lovely maiden came, all dressed in white.

She told Lakota Tribe they should not fight
And held a wooden peace pipe in her hand,
One summer day when earth was bathed in light.

She stayed four days - a fair and wondrous sight.
They blessed the day, when midst their tribal band,
A lovely maiden came, all dressed in white.

She left the pipe then paused before her flight
And rolled four times upon the glistening sand,
One summer day when earth was bathed in light.

She changed into a bison, black as night
Then red, to yellow, white - at her command
A lovely maiden came all dressed in whte.

They say, she will return and st things right
This *Buffalo - so sacred, pure and grand.
One summer day when earth was bathed in light
A lovely maiden came all dress in white.

Lou Gatlin
The Lakota Indian Tribe felt that this prophecy was fulfilled when a white female buffalo cdalf was born o­n a rural farm in, Janesville, Wis. Aug. 23, 1994. They named her Miracle. In the six years since her birth, more than 250,000 poilgrims have come to the farm just to seee the white buffalo. They consider her sacred. Miracle has changed color four times. They believe if she survives to age 30, she will turn white again heralding world peace, as prophesied by the beautiful woman dressed in white buckskin who carried a wooden peace pipe.
*Wichita Falls Times Record News, Dec. 11, 1999

Indian Warrioress

by Marilyn Beal-Bauer

If you call me a "squaw",

I'll spit in your face.

It's a white man's word - we both know what it means.

We are strong, We are proud.

We are intelligent and brave.

When hurt we don't cry.

Our faces become stone.

We do not lose face.

When our men turn to drink, they turn to renegade.

They blacken our eyes, but we bloody their faces.

We are educated in an uneducated way by our elder's wisdom not put down o­n page.

Their stories, their chants, their knowledge of plants.

They teach us, they heal us. They remain in our hearts. They never will fade as long as an Indian Warrioress remains. We remember forever.

My children, be not afraid. Your Indian warrioress is here to stay.