Missions
> This following poem is the one I sent to our soldiers in Iraq. I hope they like it, I sent 160 copies of the same. That way each soldier gets a souvenier from home to take back home when they go. Soon I hope!!! I also sent 30 other poems and stories along with Wooden Soldiers>
> Wooden Soldiers
>
> By D.G. Ford
>
>
>
> Like soldiers all of wood,
> And all along the river bank,
> Standing firm and tall.
> Some in rows and flanks,
> Their arms outstretched.
> Their feet were planted firm.
> These tree-like men abound
> Without a worry or concern.
> And those that stand beside the shore,
> Whose roots draw water easily,
> Whose mirror-image, shadow- life
> Looks back upon itself to see.
> Reflections of some early age,
> Reminders of those times gone by.
> When from a tiny seed it grew.
> From earth the buried seed did rise.
> It simply sprang forth from the ground
> And joined the other soldiers there.
> These solitary soldiers stand.
> Unstopped by winds without a care.
>
> ********************************
>
> I think you should post this! Wow! What a great piece, Don. How did you get the opportunity to send reading materials? That is such a great contribution...!! I'd love to be able to do that.
> > Thanks for sharing your story with me,
> > Amy
> >
> >
> > > Hi again,
> > > I had a wonderful opportunity to give 160 soldiers a little reading material. I know I could have done a better job by maybe sending other works by famous poets and writers, but the deed is done, and one battalion is going to get mighty sick of my crazy poetry after a while. The boys and girls over in Iraq love to read stories and the like. They also love to hear from the states. So I gave a group of girl scouts my 160 poems called wooden soldiers along with a number of other pieces I wrote for their amusement and entertainment. The scouts were sending candy and cards, so why not some reading material too. I sent only my name and no addresses. See fun story below:
> > >
> > >
> > > Wisdom in the Woods
> > >
> > > The Interview
> > > Take a look with me up into this old hemlock tree. Here we see sitting on a branch of the tree, a lone owl. No movement is detected at first (owls are probably the most motionless creatures on earth). The head then moves around like a train on a turntable. Sometimes you would swear they could turn their head all the way around.
> > >
> > > To say this is a venerable old owl is an understatement. He has lived through decades of presidencies. I mention the Executive branch for this reason: A fact little known to the American public is that this owl has entertained more than his share of dignitaries, being one himself and highly respected in some circles.
> > >
> > > This is wisdom from the ages past, but still rings true today. Why reinvent the wheel? Some of what worked back then still works today, especially from a diplomacy point of view.
> > > Wars have been fought, sidestepped, or avoided altogether on the word of this seer. I had asked the owl which program of our nation he would most like to be credited with, he said that was a no brainer:
> > >
> > > "The CCC Camps during F.D.R.'s presidency did more to put our men to work in this nation, than any other single program in this country then or since that time," this owl said, "Someone must secure the legacy of our nation's trees. You can't keep cutting back trees without a long hard look into the future. Remember, I have seen enough of the past and have learned from it, so that I might pass along my knowledge of what has gone before."
> > >
> > >" But what about Viet Nam, was that your brainchild?" I was really curious to know.
> > >
> > >" No, not in any way shape or form", the wise bird replied. "On many occasions, I had sent a number of memos to Mr. Nixon's desk. I did not receive any communication back from him or any of his staff." The owl was venting as he spoke. "The type of wars to sidestep or avoid altogether is epitomized here," the owl wisely reminded me. "The size of the then known army of Communists was staggering. If you madden one of them, the entire hive will follow; and follow it did." The owl's feathers started to get ruffled. "The whole concept of safety in numbers comes into play here. The more good advice we seek, the better chance of an amicable outcome. That man was on his own." The owl now looked angry. "The true test of any campaign is the look on the faces of the returning army. Many recall the yellow ribboned gulf war heroes, but what about the red, white, and blue of Viet Nam?" The owl now is almost in a state of rage. "To this day they have not received their due," the owl states quickly.
> > >
> > > "And the Gulf War, whose idea was that," I asked.
> > >
> > > "Mine, mine, and mine - the Kuwaiti people asked for our assistance. This is one of the most philanthropic nations on the earth. They had a reputation for helping poorer struggling countries. The world would have felt it if they had been swallowed up," the owl proudly recalls.
> > >" I have to break off our interview; I just received a fax from Camp David. Someone is finally listening and now to the follow-up!" And with that, the owl concluded his conversation.
***********************
> > > Author's note:
> > > This story was handed down to me and I believe it to be true. Until certain proofs are supplied and other evidences substantiated in this matter, it will be best referred to as a fiction piece. Until such a time as the U. S. Government issues its statement corroborating these findings, you are not obligated to believe this report.
**********************
If you have a poem or short story piece you would like to get to the front lines, remember to keep it clean and fun for them. Please no adresses . Your name is sufficient and I will send it for you when I have a handful to mail out. I know a secret about our soldiers - they love to read and we are writer's, so here's a nitch for us. Please send your pieces soon, remember nothing sad must go - these are to lift their spirits and to remind them that we are thinking of them. This could make the time go faster for them.
Any cool pictures of the American landscape would be good to send also. This is just a small part that we can play in the war effort. But do put your name only on your piece in case a letter should come back, thanking you. I have a friend with the military who will be sending our work through the proper channels to be sure that they get our work. Here's hoping they are all home soon!!!
Send any STUFF to :
Don Ford
E-mail : [email protected]
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