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Read a small sampling of meaningful stories and poems written by outpatient and hospitalized veterans recently published in Veterans’ Voices.
Three Poetry Selections
AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN A FOREIGN LAND by George Higgins, Prescott, AZ
UNTITLED WARRIORS by Richard W. Haling, Madison, WI
NURSE RATCHET’S MISTAKE by Gregory J. Topliff, VAMC—Augusta, GA
AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN A FOREIGN LAND by George Higgins
(awarded in Veterans’ Voices Fall 2004 issue)
From Afghanistan to Iraq and then
From Baghdad to Tirkrit and back again
There’re G.I.s combatting terrorists on the run
In the hot desert air and blazing sun.
American soldiers on duty in foreign lands
With rifles, BAR, and carbines in their hands
Ready to fire when there’s an alarm,
Ready to fire in time of harm.
Some engaged in brutal combat
Are trained and seasoned men.
Thirty thousand strong, ready to strike
The enemy again and again.
Marching in columns one by one,
Ready with their weapon, here they come.
The American soldiers in Afghan and Iraq,
Moving forward and ready to attack.
VAMC—Prescott, AZ
Typist: Pris Chansky
UNTITLED WARRIORS by Richard W. Haling
(published in Veterans’ Voices Summer 2004 issue)
As the ocean’s waves come to a mist,
They soothe my mind like a woman’s kiss.
An eagle lands upon our mast,
To God I bow with prayers to cast.
We fought in Beirut and Libya,
With no future thanks or media.
We sailed bravely into Soviet naval groups,
And did not allow them to lead their troops.
We still stand proud with honor as a vet,
We are still forgotten as of yet.
However, we are brothers hand in hand,
The role we played we understand.
We won the mission and saw victory,
As sailing warriors upon God’s sea.
VAMC—Madison, WI
NURSE RATCHET’S MISTAKE by Gregory J. Topliff
(published in Veterans’ Voices Spring 2003 issue)
Come my comrades and you will hear
about an infamous nurse that all did fear.
She entered the ward all dressed in white,
screaming, “Attention! Attention! Attention!” with all
of her might.
“Get out of those beds
you sleepy heads!
I’m here to bring you a new respect,
for God and country, you bunch of rejects!
“Get up! Get up! you lazy bums,
you service wrecks, you low-class scum!”
As I looked to my left and back to my right,
all stood at attention shaking with fright.
They stood there in fear, my comrades in arms,
as the witch dressed in white bellowed more of her charms.
“You’re in my service now,” she said,
“So clean up those floors and wash down the head.
Get out your brooms, your dust rags and soap.
Get to work on it now or I’ll hang all you mopes.”
And out of the corner a soft voice did shout,
“But ma’am, we’re all wounded; we have no such gear!”
“What did you say?” as she responded in fear.
“This is Ward Eight, is it not my dear?”
“No ma’am,” came the answer from all in reply.
“We are here from the war; this is Ward Number Five.”
“Oh no!” she exclaimed, “I’ve made a mistake.
I was told that this was Ward Number Eight.
Those men are in training to be young Marines.
They had only cuts and scrapes to be seen.”
A black tear came running down from her face,
as she hung her head in total disgrace,
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! To all you poor dears.
I’ve made a mistake; please calm all your fears.”
As she walked down the hall we could hear her say,
“Oh, Lord, forgive my stupidity, forgive my mistake,
I’m off to get those slobs in Ward Eight.”
VAMC—Augusta, GA
These sample poetry pages are provided compliments of PromotionsAndPrint.com. We thank all veterans for our freedom. And for personal help, a thanks is sent to vet Paddy Kelliher.
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