 The Writer's Page |
January 31st, 2008 |
A new page in The Paper that offers a forum for area writers to display their work, to offer commentary, and/or criticism. Submit work by email, photo art will be considered (we prefer jpg). This will be an occasional feature, scheduled when the editor feels there is sufficent material with which to work and sufficient space to publish. No phone calls, please.
Better Listen
by Robert D. Davis, WWII POW
The black sands are stirring on Tarawa and Iwo
Soft murmurs pass between the crosses in Henri-Chapelle
Sands shift angrily at the waters edge at Omaha and Utah.
The ones who gave all are stirring-growin restless.
Better listen - better listen.
Soft rumbles can be heard thru the skies over Schweinfurt and Ploesti
Leaves are beginning to quiver on the trees hiding the old prison camps.
The hurried re-writing of history will never erase the sacrifices of Guadalcanal and Bougainville
Unease is growing among the fallen about their country.
Better listen - better listen.
Watch Old Glory -- she unfurls and snaps in disgust
She has no trouble now hearing those who are now growing restless.
They are stirring - Anzio, Po River, Remagen, Pearl.
Better listen -- better listen.
This This is still their country - left in your care
They did not stain their country’s Flag or honor.
In God they trusted and gave all for that trust
They hear their country’s borders are unprotected and they are growing restless.
Can’t you hear them?
Our country, my country, our Flag, my Flag, our Honor, my Honor, they are priceless.
Better Listen - better listen.
Three thousand in five years? -- Try three thousand in one day - day after day.
Better listen -- you who claim to be taking care of their country.
They gave their lives for their own united nation--not a United Nations.
Better listen--better listen.
Don’t wait until you can hear them clearly.
This poem was read recently at the Escondido Kiwanis Club of Escondido by another former POW, Norm Achen, who was a 20 year old P-51 fighter pilot in WWII.
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