I love mornings, but there is no joy in my heart on this morning as I watch the sun coming up behind the trees. No, this morning there’s a lump in my throat, and an empty pain in my stomach. My mind is almost numb. Read the rest of this entry »
Posts Tagged war
Is It Too Late?
Lasting Words
Sometimes—too many times—we say things we don’t mean, or say things we do mean, but say them in a very wrong way. We use words like weapons, and often times think nothing of the damage we’ve done. The saying is: “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything.” Too bad it never caught on. Read the rest of this entry »
A Losing Battle
War has been on my mind lately, mostly due to reading Tim O’Brien’s, “If I Die in A Combat Zone”, which is a great read if you want to get inside the head of a soldier who spent time in the trenches of Vietnam. This poem was inspired by another author, the late Chris Kyle, and his book, “American Sniper”. Chris didn’t get overly political in the write, but he did make it clear that politicians, the press, and lawyers, are these days too involved in combat (from behind their desks) and the ROEs (Rules Of Engagement) they force upon our soldiers make it difficult to fight an enemy who abides by no rules at all. Read the rest of this entry »
Courage
This is the third Vietnam poem in my series inspired by Tim O’Brien’s first book, If I Die In a Combat Zone. Some of this one is straight out of the book. Mr. O’Brien is one powerful writer, and he inspires me to keep trying. Read the rest of this entry »
A Dog Begins to Bark
War is hell, and the Vietnam war was a different kind of hell for the men–some of them still boys–who went there. This is another poem about that war, inspired by Tim O’Brien‘s book If I Die in a Combat Zone. Thank you to all Vietnam veterans! We appreciate your service and sacrifice. Read the rest of this entry »
Guard Duty
I read a book recently written by Tim O’Brien. He’s a new author to me, and so I intend to read his books in chronological order. The first one is called If I Die in a Combat Zone, about the Vietnam war, and it inspired this poem. I was of the going-to-war age toward the tail end of theVietnam war, but I was not called to go. Two of my older cousins went, and thier account of it matches many others I have heard. It was hell. Read the rest of this entry »
The Thunder Rolls
This poem is a tribute to my step-pa, Ray Brown, who is on his way to DC to take part in Rolling Thunder Inc.’s 25th anniversary of their Memorial Day Demonstration in Washington, D.C., May 25-27, 2012. Ray is an army veteran, and this is a once in a lifetime trip for him. May the Lord ride with him, providing good weather, safe passage, and a wonderful time with other riders and veterans on the road, and in our nation’s capital! Roll on, Ray Brown! You da man! Read the rest of this entry »
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 