We bow to you our valiant heroes all
That fight in Iraq and Afghanistan,
Who followed and obeyed the urgent call
To fight, -Hail every woman! every man!

We watch you in Fallujah and Najaf,
Ramadi, - Sunnis and extreme Shiites,
And our hearts go out to you in love,
Nobility and strength marks all your fights.

But poetry’s acclaim does not suffice,-
Inadequate, inept's poetic art,
To honor your tremendous sacrifice
That touches so profoundly mind and heart.

Will the Iraqis for their freedom fight?
As you do, in heroic sacrifice?
That is the question.-- or prefer the blight
Of fanatics benumbing them with lies.?

Let with attention undivided all
Surround our dear brave fighters spiritually,
Imploring forces high celestial
To win for noblest fight due victory.

That fight amongst strange cultures in strange land,
To give its people life and liberty,
Will the Iraqi people understand
That this occurs first time in history?

How hard for fighters it must be, - and is,
When ready for attack, - halt!, stop!, refrain!,
In courtesy of doubtful sanctuaries,--
Politeness that costs casualties and pain.

Ah could you see us soldiers, could you hear
The fervent prayers intercessory,
And hear the sighs and see the many a tear
Sent up to heaven for you constantly

Its prayer,- its the only means there is-
And supplication ardent and devote,
Lo! prayer is the only means wherewith,
We can assist and touch the heart of God.

And so we just keep praying every day,
And hours late while hearts and candles burn,
Beseeching the Almighty that He may
Be gracious and command your safe return.

© Elizabeth Dandy

[comments] => 9 [counter] => 396 [topic] => 38 [informant] => Elizabeth_Dandy [notes] => [ihome] => 0 [alanguage] => english [acomm] => 0 [haspoll] => 0 [pollID] => 0 [score] => 60 [ratings] => 12 [editpoem] => 1 [associated] => [topicname] => Tributes )

Tribute to our Troops Contributed by Elizabeth_Dandy on Monday, 24th April 2006 @ 10:26:05 AM in AEST Topic: Tributes We bow to you our valiant heroes all That fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, Who followed and obeyed the urgent call To fight, -Hail every woman! every man! We watch you in Fallujah and Najaf, Ramadi, - Sunnis and extreme Shiites, And our hearts go out to you in love, Nobility and strength marks all your fights. But poetry’s acclaim does not suffice,- Inadequate, inept's poetic art, To honor your tremendous sacrifice That touches so profoundly mind and heart. Will the Iraqis for their freedom fight? As you do, in heroic sacrifice? That is the question.-- or prefer the blight Of fanatics benumbing them with lies.? Let with attention undivided all Surround our dear brave fighters spiritually, Imploring forces high celestial To win for noblest fight due victory. That fight amongst strange cultures in strange land, To give its people life and liberty, Will the Iraqi people understand That this occurs first time in history? How hard for fighters it must be, - and is, When ready for attack, - halt!, stop!, refrain!, In courtesy of doubtful sanctuaries,-- Politeness that costs casualties and pain. Ah could you see us soldiers, could you hear The fervent prayers intercessory, And hear the sighs and see the many a tear Sent up to heaven for you constantly Its prayer,- its the only means there is- And supplication ardent and devote, Lo! prayer is the only means wherewith, We can assist and touch the heart of God. And so we just keep praying every day, And hours late while hearts and candles burn, Beseeching the Almighty that He may Be gracious and command your safe return. © Elizabeth Dandy Copyright © Elizabeth_Dandy ... [ 2006-04-24 10:26:05] (Date/Time posted on site) Advertisments: Previous Posted Poem         | |         Next Posted Poem

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Re: Tribute to our Troops (User Rating: 1 ) by FRANCO on Monday, 24th April 2006 @ 11:48:24 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) It is very much true the sacrifice of the soldiers are worthy for the admiration and appreciation. I salute your sense of patriotism and understand your reverence towards them.. But friend, touch your heart and say is the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform are truly justified, did our sons brother and sisters in uniform sworn in to defend their beloved land or to defend some politicians impulsive political foul play. Give a thought to it friend. FRANCO

Re: Tribute to our Troops (User Rating: 1 ) by ButchHoward on Monday, 24th April 2006 @ 05:17:16 PM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) A beautiful and honest tribute to the men and women of our armed forces. Thank you for this tribute and the reminder that our prayers for these young men and women are essential. Yes, there are many who will disagree with us Elizabeth, but that is part of what makes our nation great! Remember the immortal words of Mark Twain: "Tis a fine thing to fight for one's own freedom; tis a far sight finer to fight for another man's." Butch

Re: Tribute to our Troops (User Rating: 1 ) by Elizabeth_Dandy on Tuesday, 25th April 2006 @ 10:36:43 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) I wish to make it clear that this is not a "patriotic" poem, but solely my song of profound admiration and awe before these sacrificing heroes, - obedient until death each of them. MY WHOLE HEART GOES OUT TO THEM. May they be repaid for laying their lives on the line every single day, and their sacrifices a thousandfold. This I pray

Re: Tribute to our Troops (User Rating: 1 ) by Archie on Tuesday, 25th April 2006 @ 10:37:24 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) . . . that is why we should pray for the leaders of the world that they will seek peace. Not just our leaders but all leaders. Your poem shows a very real problem and pays homage to all those who may not be sure of what they are fighting for

Re: Tribute to our Troops (User Rating: 1 ) by sararose1950 on Tuesday, 25th April 2006 @ 09:18:33 PM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Elizabeth, a fitting tribute- touching on whether those being helped even understand it. Pray and light candles for those boys over there, for those they help, for the leaders who sent them and for the families and friends they have left here. Peace and Light, Sara

Re: Tribute to our Troops (User Rating: 1 ) by lovingcritters on Sunday, 30th April 2006 @ 12:56:16 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Dear ED, I take this marvelous write in the spirit it is written. Can we ever thank them enough? No indeed! May they all be blessed beyond words Warm love consue

Re: Tribute to our Troops (User Rating: 1 ) by inoc on Friday, 5th May 2006 @ 08:51:01 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) A splendid tribute indeed Elizabeth.... How precious the desires of man to put there lives in such danger...for us all.... another wonderful piece of work and the music .....well it fits the poetry to a tee, coni

Re: Tribute to our Troops (User Rating: 1 ) by emystar on Monday, 8th May 2006 @ 11:42:17 PM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Very touching and most high tribute to our soilders-n-their familys. luv, huggs, emy

Re: Tribute to our Troops (User Rating: 1 ) by Former_Member on Tuesday, 9th May 2006 @ 09:47:08 PM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Did I hear wrong, wasn't this a mission to help defend our country against terrorism. What if we did nothing. Would there be more attacks... This war for security against threats.. is what it started out to be...so we are using force.. I pray if it was not necessary, our soldiers would not have been sent. Yes, Elizabeth, all we can do is pray.. we must not give up... sorry , I did my best to comment.. RL