Raw Courage

Contemplating the nature of heroism…

   Raw Courage

A dog growls at me
I marvel at raw courage
And those pointed teeth

   -gl-

From   –   A Warrior’s Love: A Book of Love Poems

Few Got Away

Victory, glory, and defeat…

Excerpted from   –   Few Got Away

The Scots under Wallace
Were spotted in the wood near Falkirk awaiting the English
Edward was trampled by his horse but despite two broken ribs
Mounted this same steed ready to see who would live

The Scots arrayed themselves on the slope
Prepared to meet the foe
English cavalry overran the Scots archers
Then history turned on astonishing departures

Edward’s cavalry charged…

   -gl-

From   –   Robert the Bruce: A Warrior’s King

Bridges Don’t Fall Down

Contemplating looking in the mirror…

Excerpted from   –   Bridges Don’t Fall Down

Bridges don’t fall down
Not here in the U.S.A.
What can those in government possibly say
Though this make them frown

Well good
They should look at themselves hard
And should not in the least think to spare the rod

Upon themselves…

   -gl-

From   –   Bridges Don’t Fall Down: Stories from the I35W Bridge Collapse

Back At Their Place

Love of life and the struggle…

   Back At Their House

The desert sun warms my face
Shambling upward on the trail
My lungs strain a little in the thin air. I wonder if I look pale
Getting down a race

With how long my wind will last
Our folks keep striding
He talks

And walks
She’s almost gliding
Can’t show it but feeling gassed

Determined to match their pace
Wondering how I got so frail
Blaming it on the altitude I pass it off refusing to fail
Wishing me back at their place

   -gl-

No Asking Why

Regarding heroism…

Excerpted from   –   No Asking Why

…Then thinking he might be ok he got out to prove
That he still could and stepped out into bedlam
Get away before more concrete rained

But hearing screams crossed the bridge hoping to find a way
To save the children in the bus from falling
Further.   There was no stalling
And no asking why

   -gl-

From   –   Bridges Don’t Fall Down: Stories from the I35W Bridge Collapse

A Hero None the Less

Regarding fear, courage, and heroes…

   A Hero None the Less

And in our most hallowed halls is where he is found
Fighting with passion loving his land
Under loads that would strike many down
Always he’s given more than duty demands
At the powerful it’s fun he pokes
Including himself to our delight
Never far from a smile or a light hearted joke
Even when it’s for his death his enemies hoped

   -gl-

From   –   A Warrior’s Love: A Book of Love Poems