Our Shores

Contemplating freedom, and not…

   Our Shores

Freedom rings
And not just a phrase
While less than perfect these days
This country of ours is still the one that brings

To its shores
Those suffering oppression
For all around the world they still venture here

When it is for their lives and for their hopes that they fear
For refugees the premier destination
Is our shores

Despite whatever fears the media flings
About our liberties in decay
Those without come here to stay
Yes, freedom still rings

   -gl-

One Of Them Should Be Dead

Contemplating fate and the wonder of being left alive…

Excerpted from   –   One Of Them Should Be Dead

… Drawn down.  “Kill me,” she pled
Shotgun jerked.  With fear eyes went wide
One of them surely should have died
Leaving the walk stained red

Just luck no round chambered
Held his fire, when he should have shot
Twelve gauge aimed at him and its trigger pulled …

   –gl

From   –   A Warrior’s Battles: Poems of Struggle   –   (aWIP)

Peaceful Protest

Contemplating truth and commitment…

   Peaceful Protest

Savoring each breath
In a monk’s peaceful protest
Burned himself to death

   –gl

From   –   Straight Thru the Curves: A Book of Haiku   –   (aWIP)

One Hand Clapping

Contemplating wonder…

   One Hand Clapping

When the truth you’ve found
The sound of one hand clapping
Is the most profound

   -gl-

From   –   Short Thoughts: A Book Of Haiku   (aWIP)

Lonely Spirits

Contemplating the wonder of love and nature…

   Lonely Spirits

A cool running stream
Refreshes lonely spirits
See you in my dreams

   -gl-

From   –   Short Thoughts: A Book of Haiku   (aWIP)

The Sword Cuts

Contemplating life, death, and the struggle…

   The Sword Cuts

The sword cuts
And I die
The ending’s abrupt
No wondering why

Triumph is near
Look at history
Cleansed of fear
Death can be victory

Life opens and shuts
Doomed from the crib
The sword cuts
And I live

   -gl-

From   –   A Warrior’s Battles: Poems of Struggle   (aWIP)

Southbound Went North

Everyday people, extraordinary heroes…

Excerpted from   –   Southbound Went North

…So they moved despite the pall
The shock would have to wait along with wondering how
For now they had to figure a way off and out of being cornered

Construction workers hailed exhorting them to cross the divide
These men that stood on the bridge as it fell worthy of an epic poem
And thanks to them several southbound went north to get home
And would arrive…

   -gl-

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

Sacrifice Remembered

Remembering those that serve…

   Sacrifice Remembered

Finding a way to pay back
A mom with her own serving children
Works to make sacrifice remembered again
Each month they honor another so we don’t lose track

But it’s more than that
A celebration of lives
Cut short but full of life and accomplishment

And in the mission there’s one more commitment
Supporting children, husbands, and wives
Of those that served that

Need somewhere to stay while the doctors try to bring back
Their chance to live as full as they can again
Don’t let memories be lost in the din
Remember them now and after Afghanistan and Iraq

   -gl-

From   –   A Warrior’s Tears: Poems of Pain   (aWIP)

In honor of Patricia Boyd and her efforts on the Fallen Heroes Calendar

Available at MilitaryHeroesFoundation.Org:

Proceeds go to the Fisher House supporting military families

Solve the Problem

Contemplating responsibility…

   Solve the Problem

We must place the blame
Why? Does that solve the problem?
Sometimes such a game

   -gl-

From   –   Straight Thru the Curves: A Book of Haiku   –   (aWIP)

About the Whys

Contemplating love and the falling in…

Excerpted from   –   About the Whys

Looking into pain filled eyes
I want to run but cannot
When she smiles I’ve just one thought
And the same as when she cries

Oh I’m in trouble…

   -gl-

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