66. SHE IS MY LOVE

(November 5, 1985)

She is my love

She is my life

The day will come

She will be my wife

I wonder sometimes

How I ever lived without her

She has given to me so much

That she is all that I have

How can I feel

How can I see

How can I love

How can I be

Anything without her

She is everything that I’ve wanted

She is everything that I’ve needed

She is part of me

Sometimes I think

Where would I go

What would I do

How would I know

How to carry on without her

I could never live without her

I could never go on without her

She is all that I have

She is my love

She is my life

The day will come

She will be my wife

67. IT MEANS FOREVER

(November 6, 1985)

When I say

That I love you

It means

Forever

Yesterday, today

As well as tomorrow

We’ll always be

Together

You

Always know

That I’ll be there

Just for you

I love you

So much

And I’ll say that

I do

In good times

Or bad

And for better

Or worse

 I think that

You’re great

Either crooked

Or straight

Because

We’re a team

Partners

Forever

The best friends

To tell

Our secrets

Together

You’re always

So special

To

Me

You are my lover

My partner, best friend

I’ll always love you

Forever till the end

68. WE HAVE A DREAM

(November 8, 1985)

She is my life

She is my soul

She gives me all that I want

All I could hold

She is my life

She is my soul

We walk through life

We walk holding hands

Her hand in mine

And mine in hers

We walk through life

We walk holding hands

Some days are glad

Others are sad

We will still carry on

No matter how hard

Some days are glad

Some days are sad

We have a dream

We hold in our hearts

That we are together as one

We are the same

We have a dream

We hold in our hearts

She is my love

I am her heart

We love each other so much

We can’t come apart

She is my love

I am her heart

She is my life

She is my soul

She gives me all that I want

All I could hold

She is my life

She is my soul

69. LIKE A RAINBOW

(November 8, 1985)

Her

Smile

Is like

A

Rainbow

That

Fills the

Sky

With light

And

Joy

Colors

That spread

Across

The

Land

To twinkle

And shine

Making me

Feel so

Wonderful

And grand

How

Can words

Express

The feeling

That

Fills me

Up

And makes

My life

Complete

Oh

What a

Special

Smile she

Has

And

Oh

What a

Lucky

Guy

I am

To have her

Smile

Like a

Rainbow

Giving

To me more

Than a pot

Of gold

Could ever

Hope

To give

70. SHOW US THE WAY

(November 8, 1985)

My Lord

Is my strength

And power

He

Gives me hope

Forever

I

Need His light

To follow

Through

Life’s dark paths

And sorrow

Trust

In His Word

To guide you

Hope

For His Grace

To save you

Pray

For His Spirit

To show us

The way

This brings me to the end of Chapter Five and my early poems.  We are all products of both our genetics and our experience.  Early on, I knew that writing thoughts and ideas down on paper would someday be important to me, and through tracing my history and experimentation with words, thoughts and emotions allows anyone to see the beginnings of a foundation being laid for my future writings, songs and this autobiographical blog called, “Life, Love and the Human Condition.”  For anyone, young or old looking for advice on life, I say, find something that gives meaning and purpose to your life – and run with it.  Find your passion and purpose in life.  Even if you don’t “understand” what it means to you or why it means something to you.  Over time you will begin to catch glimpses of meaning through it for your life, and in the very end, to have lived a life of meaning, passion and purpose - is all we could ever ask for. 

50. SHE

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

She

Never had to say

I love you

She

Was always there

By my side

She

Was my lady

I loved her

She

Was the

Only One

My lady

My life

My lady

My wife

51. ON MY WAY

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

The time has come

To be on my way

But I’d like to stay

Another day

With you

But I have to go

And I’ll miss you so

But I’d like to show

You I love you

For another day

Just to hear you say

(Unfinished)

52. WHY

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Why

Tell me

Why

Who

Am I

I live

I must

Die

A tear

In my

Eye

Life

Goes by

Sorrow

In the

Sky

A heartbeat

Until I

Die

Why

Tell me

Why

Who

Am I

I live

I must

Die

53. SILENCE

(Written in England on my bike trip)

Silence

All around me

Echoes

Linger on

Fear

Surrounds me

Lost

I want to be found

Set me free

From my prison

Set me free

Give me life

Come to me

Take me with you

All I want

Is my life

Life

Life

Life

Give me life

54. DREAMING

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Dreaming

On a sunny day

Thinking

We’re going to find a way

Baby

I’ve got a feeling inside

That we’re

Going to make it through

And be satisfied

55. HELLO

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Well hello

How are you

I’m alive and well

How about you

You know it’s been

Such a long time

56. CATCH A BREEZE

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Catch a breeze in your sail

And you’re on your way

I hope you have

Such a pleasant stay

While you’re on your way

Carried on by the wind

57. HOPING

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Hoping

Searching

Crying

Every day

Looking

Trying

Dying

To find a way

Dreaming

Scheming

Feeling

I’ve got to say

(Unfinished)

58. A JOURNEY

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

A journey

Across the sea

Cloaked in mystery

Coming

To a new land

Making

A final stand

Fighting for life

Living for love

(Unfinished)

59. A PLACE IN THE SUN

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Do you want to be

Do you want to see

Can you follow me

To a place

In the sun

(Unfinished)

60. WHEN I NEEDED A FRIEND

Hello

How are you

It’s been a long

Long time

Since I saw you

How are you

How are you

Hello again

It seems like so long ago you said

When I needed a friend

To call you

How are you

How are you

Hello my friend

I remembered the good times

We shared together

The days we walked

The beach together

And the nights that

We had to share together

Together

With a friend

A friend

How are you

How are you

Hello

How are you

You’re so far away

From me tonight

As I call you

I want you

I need you

How are you

61. YOU SAID FOREVER

You said forever

You promised me forever

You took my hand

And walked with me

You told me that

You needed me

I believed in you

I believed in you

I needed you

I needed you

You walked

Into my life

(Unfinished)

62. IN MEMORY OF A FRIEND

(In memory of Mark Walker, my childhood friend.  This was my first poem, written in May, 1974 – while I was still in High School.)

We were best of friends

In days gone by

When we were young

And had hopes so high

Who could know that his final day

Would be in ’74, the 22nd of May

The last I saw him alive and well

Was from a distance at a hockey game

The memory is dimmed

For seven years have gone by

Since we were friends

When the second hand stops and

Our card is drawn

Our time is up and we must depart

For a new life and a new dawn

In some distant place

We go to our final resting place

It is not a time of sadness

Though our emotions might tell us so

We go to have a new beautiful life

Without hatred, war, sadness or strife

Who knows when it is our turn to go next

It could be tomorrow or 70 years hence

The lottery of mankind is always in motion

Delay as we might that final day

When we take our turn at the wheel is our notion

For all mankind must inevitably take

That card on which our name appears

Scared or frightened we should not be

For everyone will do it and begin eternity

A friend I have lost but the memory remains

Of the boy I knew and the happiness our lives contained

We will meet again in some distant day

And continue on our eternal way

63. SINGING MY SONG

I’m just truckin’ along

And singing my song

Just where I will go

I don’t even know

My life’s on the road

Carrying my load

I’ll cruise to the sun

The journey’s begun

I’m riding on my dream in life

Sighting on the stars

Riding on the winds of change

Cruising past the cars

I’m living life free and easy

I’ve got to make a stand

Got no use to settle down

It’s just not in my plans

The road on ahead

Is going my way

I don’t think I’ll stop here

Just can’t afford to stay

I’ve got to travel on

I think it’s in my blood

Excitement is my spice of life

I can’t live like a stick in the mud

64. YESTERDAY’S TOMORROW

Yesterday’s tomorrow

Is still heavy on my mind

I’ll always remember

That you were very kind

You know sometimes

I think I should come home

But I know

I must travel on alone

My life is wasting away

Sitting here day after day

I know what I must do

Travel on without you

65. REFORM YOUR WAYS

If a man is short or tall

Does that make him different

From the rest of them all

If a man is black or white

Is that a good reason

For you to dislike

If a man has long hair

Is that a reason

For you to beware

If a man is not

100% good

Does that mean he is a hood

People you had better reform your ways

Because you are going to be judged

 One of these days 

45. WHO AM I

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Who am I (who am I)

Just an ordinary guy

Trying to get by

Never asking why

Or where I’m going

Who am I (who am I)

Who am I (who am I)

I pour myself into a mold

I do everything that I am told

My life is bought

My life is sold

Who am I (who am I)

Who am I (who am I)

Trying to be a success

Living life just like the rest

Letting them choose what is best

Settle for something less

Who am I (who am I)

Who am I (who am I)

Am I really the same

Don’t I have my own name

Why should I play their game

I can find my own fame

Who am I (who am I)

Who am I

I’m different

Who am I

I’m alive

I now know why

I’m living

No longer trying

Just to get by

Who am I

I am myself

I am alive

I am free

Free to be me

Who am I

Who are you

Just another numbered man

Living in the land

Working with your hands

Don’t you understand

Who are you

Who are you

You do everything they tell you to do

You live your life like they want you to do

You never ask for something new

They have got control of you

Who are you

Who are you

Don’t you ever realize

Don’t you ever criticize

You live your life hypnotized

There is no life in your eyes

Who are you

Who are you

Can’t you feel the pain

Can’t you feel the drain

Can’t you feel the strain

Have you gone insane

Or don’t you know

Who are you

Who are you

Are you under their control

Who are you

They have paid for your soul

Who are you

Can you tell me

Who are you

Do you really know

Who are you

Have you ever known

Who are you

Are you all alone

Who are you

Who are we

Trapped by our society

Never knowing what it is to be free

No control over our destiny

Our lives programmed like they want them to be

Who are we

Who are we

Numbers in a computer brain

Our minds controlled we’re all the same

We’re all alike we’ve all been trained

Everyone has gone insane

Who are we

Who are we

Do you want to live your lives like sheep

Do you want to be programmed in your sleep

Sell your soul and be incomplete

Give away your brain for them to keep

Who are we

Who are we

We can break away

We’ve got to start today

There’s no time to delay

I will show you the way

To breakaway

Who are we

Who are we

We are living together

Who are we

We are all alive

Who are we

We are a society

Who are we

We can break away and be free

Who are we

We are all together

Who are we

You and me

Who are we

Look at me

Look around me

What do you see

Look at me

Open your eyes

To the world around you

What do you see

Look at me

Go out in the streets

Take a walk around you

Open your eyes

What do you see

Look at me

Do you see the world around you

Can you feel the life around you

Can you reach out around you

Open your eyes

Look at me

Look at life around you

Look at those around you

Can’t you see the pain

Look in their eyes

Open their eyes

Look at me

Look around you

What do you see

Look at me

Follow me

We have to fly

Follow me

Don’t ask me why

Follow me

I know the way

Follow me

We have to get away

Follow me

We must set them free

We must lead the way

Set out in the world

I will show you the way

46. DOING FINE

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

We’re all right

Doing fine

Just working

A little overtime

We’re all right

On our way

Getting closer

Day by day

We’re just a rock & roll band

Living day to day

Getting by

With the music we play

47. SUCCESS

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Success

But do you think it’s best

A family man

Wife

Two kids

A three piece suit

Two car garage

Do you call this success

Where do your priorities lie

Working

Nine to five

With a two hour drive

Fighting traffic

To come home alive

48. WHO ARE WE

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Who are we

What do we see

Who can we be

You and me

You and me

We’re together

We can see the world through different eyes

We can see through its disguise

Sometimes we need to criticize

Who are we

You and me

49. DREAMS

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Dreams

Of men

Schemes

That carry

Them away

Dreaming of a new day

Thinking of a better way

But never

Seem to come to play

In their lives

They’re dreaming of their fortune

They’re scheming for a way

To get on their feet

To have their neighbor beat

To avoid defeat

But they never seem to find

Their precious gold mine

That they spend their time

Dreaming for 

37. I LOVE YOU

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Could it be

The moment

Or maybe

The Day

One rarely

Knows

The words

To say

I love

You

But maybe

Time

Was mistaken

And it

Was not

To be

For if

I said I

Love you

It could

Never be

38. FALLING RAIN

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

The falling rain

Is all around

The smell

Is fresh and clear

The rhythm

Of the

Drops

Helps to sooth

The pain

Of weary

Hearts and minds

That think

Of long lost

Times

When all that

One must do

Is smell the rain

And smile

With the

Rainbow

39. I DON’T KNOW

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

I don’t know

And it doesn’t really show

Where I’m going

Where I’ve been

Who’s to blame

For the shape I’m in

Looking back

I just have to grin

40. ASK THE WIND

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Ask the wind

For an answer

And it

May not reply

Or again

It could

Just ask

You why

You had

To ask the

Question

To only

The wind

And that

Could easily

Be the

Answer

To the

Shape you’re

In

41. ASKING FOR TOMORROW

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Asking

For tomorrow

Could be

Throwing away

Today

For time

Does not last

Forever

And one can

Never say

That looking

For tomorrow

Will ever

Help to

Pull you

Through

Today

42. LOOKING AT YOU

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Looking at you

Looking at me

Who could have known

What was meant to be

Could we have known it

Could we have shown it

In another way

In another day

43. LOST IN TIME

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Time

Time

Time

Time

Lost in time

Do you have the time

I’ll see you some time

Can you find the time

What time is it

In time

Time

Go back in time

Tell me the time

Can you see the time

Find some more time

In time

Time

We’re all lost in time

We’re running out of time

Where will we be in time

Tell me what is time

In time

Time

Who keeps the time

Who knows the time

Who has the time

Who can tell me the time

In time

Time

An imagination of our mind

44. SITTING IN THE SUN

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Sitting in the sun

Remembering the fun

Of the summer days

Long before

And walks

Along the seashore

And sunburns

On my back

And hot dogs

Over an open fire

Those days have

Long gone by

But I like to hope

That I

Was not the

Only one

To talk to all

The seagulls

And look for

Funny rocks

And build sand castles

Near the docks

And laugh in

The sun

32. GET UP AND DANCE

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Get up and dance

Go out and look for romance

It’s sitting there slipping away

Go out and get it today

What are you going to do

She’s sitting there looking at you

Get up on your feet

Go over and ask her

What you’d like her to do

Just say

Would you like to get up and dance

Go out and look for romance

It’s just slipping away

Let’s go and find it today

You’re wondering what you should do

All the time she’s looking at you

Get up get on on your feet

She’ll show you what

She wants you to do

She wants you to get up and dance

Go out and look for romance

It’s sitting there slipping away

Go out and find it today

33. DRINK TO HEALTH

This morning

I sat and pondered

And decided

To send a card

But alas

I could find

Nothing

Suitable

For purchase

So I took it

Upon myself

To compose

A card to send

Although

It may not say

Hallmark

It is indeed

A card

That rivals

Any other

And after all

Even if

The Hall is missing

The Mark

Is there

Have a draft

And drink

To health

And song

And days

Of past

And to the

Days to come

To places to go

And people to meet

And things

You’ve got

To do

But above all

You must

Remember always

To drink a brew

Or even two

When there’s nothing

Else to do

Look to the east

For tomorrow

And to the west

For today

 And never let

The present

Slip away

And if

By chance

The sun does

Set

And you have

Lost

The way

Remember always

To drink a brew

Or even two

When there’s nothing

Else to do

So follow the stars

That guide

Your way

Into tomorrow

If you’ve lost

Your way

Coming from

Yesterday

And suppose

That no one

Was

To say

While you

Walk

Along your way

Remember always

To drink a brew

Or even two

When there’s nothing

Else to do

34. I’M ALIVE

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Hurray

Look at me

I’m alive

I can see

Think and

Feel

And smile

For today

I’m as

Healthy as

Can be

And who could

Ever give

To me

A better present

Than to

Be me

35. THOUGHTS ARE FREE

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Thoughts

Are free

They cost

Nothing

But give

To me

Freedom from

The day

In another

Sort of way

And let me

Have a

Minute

To say

What’s on

My mind

36. EVERY ROAD A DIFFERENT TURN

(Written in England on my bike trip)

Lying here

In bed

Sometimes I wonder

Where to head

With my life

Should I

Run fast

Should I crawl

Or attempt

To climb

A wall

Or maybe sail

Away

To a different

Day

But everything

Is life

And every road

A different

Turn and

Who’s to say

Which way

To go

I for one

Can’t say

But I know

I’ll find the way

To where it is

I’m going 

25. A FEELING FOR LIFE

To think

Of a thought

Or gaze

At the sun

With a feeling

For life

And a song

For each one

Is to know

That the way

Is a means

To the end

And that life

Is today

And a feeling

For a friend

26. LIFE IN A MIRROR

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Take a look at yourself

What do you see

Is it all that you hoped for

That you would be

How many surprises

Different disguises

Games that you play

To get from day to day

Can you look at life in a mirror

And reflect on what you see

Are you sure of where you’re going

And who you’d like to be

27. ISLE OF SKYE

(Written in England on the Isle of Skye on my bicycle trip)

Listen to the mountains

Listen to the sea

Gaze out to the horizon

Where the wind is still blowing free

Wander down into the valley

You find yourself alone

Ask yourself the question

Do you ever want to go home

The Isle of Skye

Time’s passed it by

Life doesn’t change

Or rearrange

28. ALIBI

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

I’m just looking for an alibi

Just an excuse to say goodbye

I’m leaving here moving on

I don’t really feel I belong

I’ve been trying so hard

To hold on for so long

I’m so much in love with you

But I don’t know what to do

Because I’m losing you

I’m looking for a place to go

But I really just don’t know

Where to go without you

What to do without you

Who am I without you

By my side

By my side

By my side

29. HOW DO YOU FEEL

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

How do you feel

Tell me was it real

Or did you steal

Away in the night

Or did you stay and fight

For what you thought was right

Did it change your plan

Make you into a man

Did it dirty your hand

Or was it your mind

You were hoping to find

It put you into a bind

But you set it right

Or thought that you might

Such a terrible sight

Could you have been wrong

To leave it so long

It should have been gone

But you went away

Now you’ve come back to stay

What do you have to say

How do you feel

Stealing away in the night

30. YOU’RE LEAVING

You tell me that you’re leaving

I’ve heard it all before

The plane leaves in the morning

But are you really sure

That it’s me you’re running from

Or do you run away from yourself

31. NO RHYME OR REASON

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

I don’t want to go away

I don’t want to go away

I don’t want to leave without you

By my side

There’s no place left to hide

I’ve got to know you

I’ve got to hold you

I’ve got to have you

By my side

I don’t want to go away

I just want to stay

I just have to say

I want you

By my side

I’ve just got to hold you

I’ve just got to show you

I don’t want to leave without you

By my side

Without you there’s no rhyme or reason

Without you there’s no changing of the seasons

I’ll never have to stop believing

I’ve just got to have you

By my side

I don’t want to go away

I don’t want to go away

I don’t want to leave without you

By my side

20. ON THE ROAD

I’m out on the road

Day after day

Thinking of you

So far away

Riding on this morning

The miles fade away

Yesterday’s behind me

But I’ll be back someday

I travel to so many places

Some so far away

But now I wish I’m there with you

To brighten up my day

If I have not yet returned

And tomorrow’s come and gone

Then let me be with you there

If only in my song

Never in my vast travels

Have I come across

A woman that could give to me

What I have from you lost

It’s ten days into November

Time for me to go

Always remember babe

That I love you so

21. OUR JOURNEY

We’ve split up in our journey

The passage we make through time

But the winds of the past continue

Blowing through my mind

Your pilgrimage is over

Your rest is now assured

But mine continues onward

My voice must now be heard

The voyage is so lonely

The nights have grown so cold

I wish that you were with me

I need you here to hold

Each passing day reminds me

Of the days of old

No value can be placed on them

I treasure them like gold

The winds of the past continue

Blowing through my mind

The sorrow that I feel

Will not go away with time

The years have passed before me

Lines deepen in my face

The memories surround me

Golden hair and fine white lace

Now my time has also come

My rest is guaranteed

The days are few before me

From these chains I will be freed

The winds of the past continue

Blowing through my mind

The journey is now over

I’ve kept my date with time

22. THIS VERY PLEASANT STAY

If you know where I have been to

You needn’t ask me why

I’m leaving here tomorrow

Today I say goodbye

The clouds have gathered in the distance

And the storm has finally come

The rain has started falling here

And the journey must be done

I must leave here tomorrow morning

At the break of day

I’ll always remember your sweet smile

And this very pleasant stay

Off into the future

I have got to ride

There is no place in tomorrow

Where I can safely hide

Destiny holds my fate

Dragging me along

Others in some other day

Will sing praise of my song

I ride out into the morning

On this fearful day

Clouds of evil are upon me now

Breaking me away

My fate is sealed behind me

As I ride on in great haste

I know that I can’t afford to lose

This very costly race

If I win I will be back

To claim you for my own

Up into the mountains we will go

And build ourselves a home

23. SONGS IN SILENCE

Songs

In silence

Echo through the halls

For

Deaf ears

And tears

To blend

And fall

To view

Unseen images

That fade

In the mist

To grasp

And reach out

For something

That exists

Surrounded

By thoughts

That hang

In the air

And dreams

Gone uncounted

That fade

Without care

24. MY VALENTINE

A

Valentine

By

Any other

Name

Could never

Say

Or give

The feelings

To

Us

That come with

That one name

So

To say

The

Phrase

Means

More than

Words

On

Paper

Black and white

To say

The phrase

Means

Love for one

Will you be

My Valentine 

17. WANDERING PATH

The wandering path is ancient

Its stones have been worn smooth

Its length has been well traveled

Countless feet have made its groove

To the east the course is well charted

Though no man may walk its length

Ancient scrolls record the travels

Of those who’ve since lost their strength

To the west it turns a corner

Though no man may plot its course

We all must travel onward

As it continues from its source

For it is the path to tomorrow

That began in yesterday

As we continue on we realize

That no one has passed this way

A trip not for the timid

Its hills are steep to climb

The weary may choose to leave it

And with their troubles stay behind

Where does this wandering path end

No man can claim to know

We all will leave it someday

But it still continues to flow

Onward into the future

The past is left behind

Men will walk along it

Ever upward as it climbs

For it is the path to tomorrow

That began in yesterday

As we continue on we realize

That no man has passed this way

18. VICTORY IS NOT SWEET

This poem was a premonition of my deployment to Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm to liberate Kuwait, and was written during my time at Michigan State University - around 1974-76.  I arrived in Theater on New Year’s Eve day, 1990 - sixteen days before the Persian Gulf War would later start.  An elderly man, who was a neighbor of ours across the street in Germany, gave my wife five yellow roses on the day the conflict began – having no idea that it was our fifth wedding anniversary – only knowing that I was deployed to the war.

My C-141 deployment flight departed from Hahn Air Base, Germany, and the flight crossed over the Alps enroute to the Middle East.  I deployed with the 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Fighting Tenth.”  After the conflict ended, the 10th TFS had a ceremony to commemorate the squadron’s first combat action.  Our squadron’s patch had a “sword” or “saber” as part of the logo, and during the ceremony all of us in the squadron took off our patches and used a fine red permanent marker to add drops of “blood” to the tip of the sword – indicating having drawn “first blood” for the squadron.  This represented the symbolic first combat action in the squadron’s history.

There are many images from the Gulf War that appear in this poem, besides the 10th TFS “saber,” “My sword is all I take” and “My blade is covered with crimson.”  “Twilight” refers to the oil well fires darkening the desert skies.  “I’m sorry you can’t go with me” refers to my wife and son, and “The journey’s mine to make” refers to my military orders at the time.  “Sun’s rising” refers to our squadron’s combat action starting before dawn.  “Thirteen days of wandering” refers to our squadron arriving in Theater sixteen days prior to the start of the conflict so, “The plans are made, it’s time to go.”  ”I fight to be set free” refers to Kuwait.  “Into the mountains I go” refers to crossing over the Alps.  “The castle” refers to the fortress that was Kuwait at the time, and “Armor shining in the light” refers to the two deployed armies in the desert sand.  “The wall has now been scaled” refers to the quick advance by the ground forces, and “He awaits me dressed for battle” refers to the fact that it was no surprise.  “His grip has been undone, the chains have now been broken, my freedom has been won” refers to the liberation of Kuwait.    

I titled this poem, ”Victory is Not Sweet,” as anyone who has ever been to combat knows that they would never choose to go to war unless they had to – we were all volunteers at the time; however, liberating the people and country of Kuwait was the right and noble thing to do, but many lost their lives to give freedom to others.  To be able to participate in giving freedom to a people or a country is the highest calling in life – and it was my honor and privilege to serve with the men and women who liberated Kuwait.  Always remember…freedom isn’t free, and the Memorial Day holiday this weekend is a remembrance of all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice – in giving us our own freedom.

A new day is beginning

Sun’s rising in the sky

Twilight still surrounds me

I’ve got evil in my eye

I’m sorry you can’t go with me

The journey’s mine to make

The plans are made, it’s time to go

My sword is all I take

Thirteen days of wandering

Into the mountains I will go

Revenge my source of power

I go to kill my foe

Snowfields numb my feet

Blood trickles from my knees

Visions pass before me

I fight to be set free

The castle looms before me

The tower lights my way

Twelve days are now behind me

My journey ends today

The wall has now been scaled

The courtyard is in my sight

He awaits me dressed for battle

Armor shining in the light

Cold steel clashes in the morning

Echoes break the mountain air

My blade is covered with crimson

His eyes can only stare

Victory is not sweet

His grip has been undone

The chains have now been broken

My freedom has been won

19. NATURE’S WAY

Reflection casts its shadow

Glimmering across the land

Silence now surrounds us

Nature deals her hand

Clouds building in the distance

The horizon has now been filled

The calm is suddenly broken

The winds will not be stilled

Branches bending to the ground

Waves crashing on the shore

Thunder breaks the silence

The battle will wait no more

Silence returns to us

Waves lap upon the shore

The battle has now been finished

Thunder is heard no more

The rain has gone

The sky is clear

The birds start singing

Sweet music to the ear

The eye of the storm

Has quickly passed us by

We find it’s nature’s way

Of simply saying hi

14. ONLY MEMORIES REMAIN

The time has come

For us to part

We drift away

In our changing lives

Remaining

Only in our hearts

The memories

The hands of time

Continue on

But we stand still

As time flows on

Together

Suspended alone

From the world

Only memories remain

Brightening the rain

When life has made

You saddened

My life is now a dream

Woven in your mind

Of the times and happiness

We’ve had

We laughed and cried

All starry eyed

Sharing our lives together

As we lived

Sustaining

Each other

With our love

But I must leave

My time has come

Word’s can’t describe

What you’ve given me

Happiness

While my life

With you continues

Only memories remain

Brightening the rain

When life has made

You saddened

My life is now a dream

Woven in your mind

Of the times and happiness

We’ve had

Live your life complete

Fulfilling all those dreams

That together

We once shared

Every now and then

Think of me again

Remembering the love that

Strengthened our lives

For we will be together

Together forever

Together once again

In the end

But until then

Only memories remain

15. HUMAN WASTELAND

What good are we

What use are we

Our eyes are shot

Our minds are blown

Our lungs are clogged

Our muscles untoned

Just look at us

Misused and abused

We’re a wasteland

A generation of peace

The flower was our sign

True heretics of our time

We refused to go to war

To avoid the guts and gore

But we butchered ourselves more

With drugs by our own hands

We’ve created a human wasteland

Our crusade will soon be over

Our inheritance is near

This land that we put down

Every time we turned around

Will be ours to commandeer

Then the time will come to fear

16. LOST IN FOG

I’m lost in fog

Can’t find my way

My mind keeps on spinning

I gotta get away

The sun’s going down

Darkness rolling in

I’m stuck in the wasteland

Destroyed from within

Confusion’s coming on

Reality fades away

Echoes fill the void

Until the start of day

The sun begins to rise

Rays streaming through my mind

Darkness turns to gray

My thoughts start to unwind

Gray blends into purple

Yellow and then to white

My mind is blinded and then it’s dazed

Paralyzed until the night

With darkness flowing in

My life is flowing out

Strength turns into weakness

Awareness into doubt

10. SATISFIED

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Well

Are you satisfied

Do you

Feel justified

Can you

Be criticized

Without

Turning to suicide

Or dealing

With homicide

Or crawling

Back inside

Can you

Look at me

Speak

With authority

Feel

Without apathy

For those

Who want to see

Who live

In mediocrity

Who long

For once to

Be free

Well

Are you satisfied

12. THE KEY

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

Where am I

Where am I

I don’t know

I can’t show

You

My life

Since

I’ve been

Lost

Lost

In a world

Of confusion

Trying to find

A solution

Searching

For the key

To the

Door

I’ve been

Searching

For the

Answer

 And I’m

Lost

On my way

Can you

Help me

To find

The way

I’m looking

For the

Answer

And I

Need you

To help

For together

I can

Feel

That we will

Find the

Way

Then we will

Know just

Where

We are

And we’ll

Help all the

Others

On their way

The answer is

To help

One another find

Their way

And we’ll all

Find it

Together

Some day

Some day

13. THE STREET

(Written in England on my bicycle trip)

I’ve got one foot in the gutter

I’ve got one foot in the street

Tell me what kind of people

Do you meet in the street

I met an old man that was walking

He had a long way to go

But he couldn’t tell me anything

That I didn’t already know

I saw the sadness in his eyes

Caught running down in his tears

But you can’t bring back to life

The memories of the years

14. A BIRTHDAY WISH

A

Birthday

It seems

To me

Is

Not like

Any

Other day

But one

That

Should be

Spent

In a

Reflective

Sort of

Way

To turn

Through

Pages

Of years

Gone

By

And sift

Through

Sands

Of time

And look

Ahead

For

Years

To come

And

Dream

Of things

To be

For

All in all

As

Years

Go by

We reflect

On

How its

Been

And

On this

Day

We pause

A while

And

Take the

Time

To think

That

Once again

Another

Year

Has

Come

And gone

And

If we

Were

To put

Them

All

Into

The context

Of a

Song

I

Would

Have

To think

That

It would

Be

Such

A lovely

Melody