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Patriotic Poems
War and Tragedy

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Contributor: Nancy L. Meek || Poem Categories

The Cough

country as flag
Deep in the jungle,
I can hear a bird,
the crunch of boots,
a foreign word;

a hiding heart pumping,
its red blood racing,
breathing... relieving,
his destiny facing;

his teen lungs working
in... then out, in... then out,
the rustle of dry leaves
whirling... swirling about;

another bird, calling,
a whispered prayer,
a gook's eyes searching
for anyone there;

a muscle flenching,
grass blades bending,
a twig snapping,
the crickets unending;

the enemy peering,
leaning... poking,
bayonet gleaming,
silent... provoking;

a sun slowly dying,
a cough... then another,
the enemy twirling,
detecting our brother;

a wet barrel pointing,
its trigger squeezed,
the bullets... life ending
the war gods appeased;

a grunt's mother weeping,
her desperate prayer,
imploring the heavens,
"Is anyone there?"
By Nancy L. Meek
Copyright 2008
Listed April 19, 2010
About Author... Nancy is the proud wife of William "Billy" J. Meek, a Vietnam War Veteran, who served with the 1st Cavalry Airmobile Division, 11th Aviation Group, 228th Battalion, Co. B. Nancy's website

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Nancy. ~~

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War and Tragedy Poems | Poem Categories