Contemplating the nature of heroism…
Raw Courage
A dog growls at me
I marvel at raw courage
And those pointed teeth
-gl-
Category Archives: Heroism
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…
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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
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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
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Images Came in a Torrent
Courage is not the absence of fear…
Excerpted from – Images Came in a Torrent
…But the falling felt like forever so much time packed
Into scant seconds but that’s what she recalls
Maybe time just stopped
Then started again as tragic images came in a torrent
People were yelling and screaming for help above the din her
Thoughts turned toward those people and caring for the injured
Doing what she could for the moment
-gl-
From – Bridges Don’t Fall Down: Stories from the I35W Bridge Collapse
Clashing Champions
Of heroics…?
Clashing Champions
Life and death in play?
Clashing champions decide
It’s superbpwl day
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Shoveled His Drive
Seeing the worth…
Shoveled His Drive
An old man says thanks
But I just shoveled his drive
For us he faced tanks
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Minister and Politician
Of heroes…
Minister and Politician
A minister and politician
But don’t think that means you know what he’s about
Not fighting for position or power leaves no doubt
His character’s that of a true patrician
In fighting for the people
He’s not abrasive
But rather
Attempts to gather
Opposing sides in cooperative
Efforts for all so that all reap well
Standing for the common good his ambition
Though now fighting ALS his resolve remains stout
This is what he is about
A people’s minister and politician
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A tribute to Senator Gary Kubly
For Freedom
Contemplating heroes…
For Freedom
There are real people
Dying abroad for freedom
Sports heroes’ drivel
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The Work of Heroes
Common Heroism…
The Work of Heroes
The school bus carried our most precious cargo
Hanging on the edge
Of a precipitous ledge
And all we could do watching was hope it wouldn’t go
Down
And into the deep
Beyond the reach of even our best
But there were those that came forward to prevent that test
And did what they could to keep
The kids safe and sound
The children could not end up below
Hoping to dredge
Them up and out. No they couldn’t go over the edge
It was the work of heroes
-gl-
From – Bridges Don’t Fall Down: Stories from the I35W Bridge Collapse