I believe the poem is very indicative of the type of presidency we can expect from Obama - disjointed and at a 5th grade level. We are in big trouble.

I loved it. Critics clearly are simply not intelligent enough to have understood the meaning.

awsome

The Inauguration Poem was very, very beautiful and fitting for the occasion. Total class for a lovely man and President.

As an audience I felt inspired and challenged to walk forward in a different way. Not appealing to the emotions but using facts. An eye opener

I agree that the poem was indicative of what we can expect from Obama's leadership: sincere, heartfelt, spoken with plain talk, encouraging every American taking responsibility for the future.

this was actually 2 poems, one about words and one about something else. Maya angelou did the same thing with her inaugural poem for the Bush presidency - got too fill of the idea of poetry, and didn't create a poem worth remembering.

AWFUL! They should play it on loudspeakers in Guantanamo on a continuous loop - that would teach those terrorists a lesson.

Her delivery reminded me of William Shatner's rendition of "Rocket Man" - but a lot less enjoyable.

A few of us sat around last night and tried to decipher that "poem". I realize that we aren't as elite as some on here who seem to think that "rest of us" are too base to understand it's profound meaning. That was NOT a poem. It was ALMOST as bad as the Benediction which was cute but insulted everyone who is ...(dare I say it)...white.

I will have to view the text of the poem in print before I decide to cast judgment on its merits as a poem, but I have to agree that Ms. Alexander's delivery was dreadful. It was definitely not a good reading.

The poem isn't that bad. A little on the sappy side of Maya Angelou, but I've heard worse.

I loved the poem. For the critiques out there I wonder...are you truly engaged in life? Are you seeing all that is before you or just focused on your own world? In a short poem, Ms Alexander showed us the everyday world in which we live. No ones work no ones life is more important that the others,

Reminded me of How I Spent My Summer Vacation in the Sister Mary Elephant sketch by Cheech and Chong

I thought the poem , the benediction, actually the entire inauguration was wonderful and very thought inspiring. I am proud that my seven year old son witnessed this moment of hope for our nation and that he will grow up with Pres. Obama as an influence. (I was not offended by the benediction and I am white)

I didn't see the delivery. (I was busy organizing the next right wing conspiracy) Just read the poem.
I'll express my thoughts via a poem of my own:
poetry, how far We have fallen from Frost. Where is the next Shel Silverstein? unenlightened people unable to comprehend. We all know the real change of quarters.

I consider myself and educated person, but I don't have a clue what the heck that peom was supposed to have said. Can anybody tell me?

The comments so far are more engaging and entertaining than the "poem" will ever be. I know i'm old-fashioned but I like a pattern, rhythm or maybe even a rhyme in my poems. Not an essay broken into stanzas

Let us allow her to slip silently back into obscurity. . . please.

In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun. (What the heck?)

I did like the ending. That was what had stuck in my mind on first hearing and still does. How uplifting to have a president begin his term actually including poetry talking about a love beyond petty grasping and egoism. I pray Obama keeps that love in his heart and mind to return there before every decision is made. We need enlightened leadership based on love of all life first and foremost.
David

First off I hated the poem but I still like obama.
For those of you who think that "anyone who does not like the poem did not understand the meaning" you are uneducated.

Yes, the poem had a meaining to it that connected to people but that didnt make it a good poem.
It lacked style rhythm and presentation.
It had a true message but that doesnt make it good.

For example heres my poem
Love is important
People should care about eachother

Really, this poem was the most shallow thing I have ever read.
"What if the mightiest word is love"
REAL ORIGINAL

Fountainhead by Ayn Rand... This pap masquerades as poetry and only the enlightened are capable of grasping the lofty height of edification. Liz - go read some Pushkin. That was poetry! You are a fake.

How sad that poetry, which should and must be about inherent truths stirring the soul of the poet, can become a shallow vessel to preach a particular political point-of-view. Sharing poetry is like baring your soul naked. It cannot be done in the fast-food, made-to-order lane.

Are you nuts ????

I thought the poem was inspiring and beautiful.

There is no work of art that is universally admired, nor should this poem speak to every listener. For those of you who don't care for it: refrain from harsh words. There's no need to attack. It's simple: some like it, some don't. It speaks to some, but not everyone. Nothing anyone can say can change that.

I thought the poem was banal and uncreative. No clever imagery or use of words. Just plain Bad Poetry. If Elizabeth Alexander wasn't black there would be a lot more pointed criticism of her credentials. I guess Yale sets the bar pretty low now in the name of diversity.

I'm no poet, but I am quite literate. This"poem" was poorly written and even more poorly delivered. It seems hype's replaced substance in yet another aspect of the new administration.
Those of you who feel thet 90% of your countrymen are "simply not intelligent enough to have understood the meaning" remind me of the synchophants who cooed over the king's lovely garments in the story of The Emperor's New Clothes.

The poem was more than good. It was our life in the U.S. It was us. It was a message. It fit in with the beauty of the entire event.

Poetry, good or bad, must be shared. I believe that the beauty of Art is not in the plans of the creator, but instead, in the discoveries of the observer. When people don't like a poem, it probably was not written for them.

That was the worst poem I have ever heard! If I can do it, it isn't art!!

That 'poem' was suitable for maybe preschoolers but they would have probably fallen asleep. Awful does not get close. Sappy? Below sappy. Some here think this was 'more than good'. I am now very afraid. This country is going down.

that poem was out of place.it only sounded like the usual din that was the epitome of the presidential campaigns.why keep repeating the same things all over.

A "C" grade poem from a mediocre University writing class. It is the most disappointing part of an otherwise enjoyable inauguration. It was a mistake, a very bad one indeed.

Your poem was great keep up the good work from your friend Candy

It wasn't anything more than a string of broken sentences, with the worst delivery -- by the poet herself(!) -- imaginable. You know most of the people there were probably ready for an inspiring poem but instead were thinking, very unfortunately, "I hate poetry."
Elizabeth Alexander set poetry back decades with that embarassing display.

I appreciate all the responses. I think that was what the poem was about: it was for the audience to assemble the ingredients (words) in their own heads, and bake their own creation. Much like the Obama momentum, it requires someone to come to the table with their offering, whatever that may be, and participate. E.Alexander's poem envited participation, particularly with her word by word delivery. It was not an Chocolate Raspberry EasyBake cake, it was whatever YOU made.

I was spellbound by the poem and her delivery. Loved it! Original, deep meaning and simply beautiful. It took many turns, holding one's interest, and it encompassed something for everyone to relate to.

Some of these negative comments are written like "true republicans!" Well, get used to Obama - he's going to be around for awhile - it'll take him two full terms to undo what Bush and his cronies have done!

I started writing poetry when I attended school in Texas and was inspired by the sadness of President Kennedy's assassination. I was a seventh grader and my home room teacher made a big deal of it, motivating me to continue writing. So, I wrote a book of poems when I got to college and have written two chap books since then as an adult. My point is, I am a poet and I found Professor Alexander's poem full of meaning and plain talk, but void of lyricism, a necessary ingredient for poetry. Maya Angelou's inauguration poem possessed a lyrical quality that made it memorable and her delivery made it dramatic. I'm not sure even a good actor could have lifted Alexander's poem from the banal. I understand that many people liked it and I accept that; however, I don't understand how Rev. Lowery's benediction was insulting to whites. Was it the inclusion of the third stanza of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" or his quote from Dolomite that insulting? Please explain.

frost's stopping by woods on a snowy evening is poetry. kipling's gunga din is poetry. this woman's effort is not.

i think i was asome i loved it

i have to say that when i heard it (at inauguration) i thought it was pretty terrible. i'm no amazing poet, but i do have an mfa in poetry. but then today, i read the text with my 8th graders, and i didn't hate it as much. in fact, i thought it had lovely sparkling moments. it's also very very accessible. it's not intended for an erudite audience. it's intended for everyone. so. . . my 8th graders generally liked it and had some interesting things to say about it (one of them said it seemed like a 3rd response to 'i hear america singing' - the 2nd being 'i too sing america' by hughes.)

Based upon the above comments, I will be looking forward, with bated breath, to the future poetic publications of the foregoing critics of the inaugural poem.

The poet and her poem was a complete disaster! The poet failed to recognize nature of the moment. She had to say some abstract nonsense about “love” without having her feet on the ground. She turned her back on the experience the historical nature of moment she stood. She must be living in some ivory tower! Get your hands dirty, Ms. Poet!! Write poetry, don't confabulate!

an Obama poem for those whose poetic appetites were not satisfied:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvZ1AaZOnQo

Unity in diversity
is hard to convey in a poem in English
Just enjoy

I think the bow on aretha hat should have given a speech!!!we didnt need yo-to ma faking it and a poem that i could not wait to it was over. Maybe James Earl Jones or Maya Angelou should have read it. I know the lady practiced before she got to the stand and no one told here she sucked then? Wow her friends did her no justice I would hate to sit in on one of here lectures

poem for Obama

Unexpectedly

Mahnaz badihian (Oba)

Unexpectedly, sun is rising on your shoulders
As you come from a long road of battle
While the blood is flowing from our ears
With the bad news penetrating day by day in our soul
While sorrow caves in on our lips and our chest

Remember we were lost in the darkness of history
While trying to find our way at the “railroad”
Ending in exile

Remember together we read
“The Jungle” and “The Color Purple”

We ran on the seaside to counsel the dead birds
To vitalize our dreams by the hope in your eyes
We knew we can bring the sun close to our doorstep
And count the stars that look at us unexpectedly

When the day breaks we will go to the railroad
To free those slaves that worked hard for our silk dress
And skipped towards freedom to greet you
But the truth is that the sun is rising unexpectedly
On your shoulder and the little dormant plants have started
Climbing everywhere towards the sun on your shoulder
--
to contact the poet:
badihian@gmail.com

This was not poetry, it was
drivel
delivered
decidely
dumbed
down
slowly
so
as
to
(add your own meaning)

The poem was labored and the delivery dull. It's one thing to labor over your verse; it's another to have listeners wondering how much time the poet spent looking up words in her thesaurus.

As Yeats said in "Adam's Curse,"

We sat together at one summer's end,
That beautiful mild woman, your close friend,
And you and I, and talked of poetry.
I said, "A line will take us hours maybe;
Yet if it does not seem a moment's thought,
Our stitching and unstitching has been naught.
Better go down upon your marrow-bones
And scrub a kitchen pavement, or break stones
Like an old pauper, in all kinds of weather;
For to articulate sweet sounds together
Is to work harder than all these, and yet
Be thought an idler by the noisy set
Of bankers, schoolmasters, and clergymen
The martyrs call the world."

this poem was terrible and my whole class hates it with passion

I thought the delivery of the poem was the WORST I seen in ages, SHE CANNOT speak to save her life. A fifth grader could have done a better job!!!!!

I thought and think the poem is very powerful, but is certainly characteristically "sublime". It is intimate, reflective of some many meaningful experiences, and progresses to a vivid conclusion that connects our daily experiences to an internal crescendo.

In reading her other work, listening to her candance and sense of place, her poems are best heard or read slowly, deliberately, and and hanging on every word. Ideally in a comfortable, quiet place - perhaps with tea or wine.
Her phrasings are like a warm blanket for the soul.

what's wrong with us?
who taught us to hate?
art. (of all things)
Stravinsky. Hate or love?
J. Pollock. Hate or love?
Country Music. Hate or love?

art.
if we don't love a piece of art, we somehow think we have to list all the rationales for why it's bad, ridiculous, boring. To justify our hating it. Every "great" artist has had long lines of people who took great pride in their 'brilliant' ability to point out their shortcomings. Look at me, I can see how this piece of art is substandard. Look how smart I am.

It's pathetic. It's us.
Art should transcend this pettiness. Just because I don't like it doesn't mean that it doesn't sing loudly from the heart of the artist or to the hearts of many in the audience. Doesn't mean I have any ground to criticize.

Dale Carnegie said, "Any fool can find fault. And most do."

....and look at me. Compelled to criticize those who criticize. :)

I was embarrassed for this "poet"..
I don't think a good poem has to rhyme, but it should make sense. I think in trying to write something special for future generations, she lost her audience with her disjointed poem and her asinine delivery. At least I am not the only one who was disappointed.

I loved listening to this poem, it was inspiring and a perfect ending to president Obama's innaugaration
Edinburgh Scotland UK

OBAMA’S BEST INAUGURATION DAY POEMS

FELLOW AMERICANS

Will we battle terrorism as it should be fought
Or run away and let evil doers chase us to our door?
Will we protect our freedom and system of life
As our fathers and grandfathers sacrificed before?

Will we secure our borders against illegal entry
Or let our economy and security be destroyed?
Will we finally stop runaway wasteful spending
By leaders who are self-serving and void?

Will we continue to pledge our help to the less fortunate
Who suffer from war, hunger and disease?
Will we preserve our heritage and our future
From those who wish to bring liberty to its knees?

Never be afraid to be proud of America
And march with the thankful, honorable and just.
Never surrender our freedom of choice
Standing firm for what we believe and trust.

Sometimes it’s hard to protect what is right
Sometimes we’re scorned as for others we fight.
Some of us are willing regardless of loss
To commit our soul to save the cross.

Evil prospers on greed and human hate
Always eager to destroy and defecate.
God’s grace descends on the souls of man
Cleansing the impure wherever He can.

As long as man has struggled on earth
Life has had its troubles from birth.
God’s seed of goodness has delayed man’s demise
Thank Heaven for his heroes the strong and the wise.

The Lord adores his heroes of yesterday
Just how numerous, only He could say.
God loves his soldiers who line up to serve
By standing against evil His grace they deserve.

God Bless America

PRESIDENT OBAMA’S TWO WORLDS

There are two worlds, this one and the next
Man’s is deceptive, temporary and full of blame.
God’s is permanent, loving, truthful and complete
Free of hate, lust, war, greed and shame.

Our bodies belong to this world and die
Our souls come from God’s and return.
Virtue is knowledge of what is right or wrong
As the lessons of lifetime we learn.

Humans are disorderly, wasteful and corrupt
All are guilty of the ignorance of sin.
The worst crimes practiced on Earth today
Are the sadistic deeds committed by men.

History persist but nothing has changed
The world we live in is more dangerous than before.
Most people never know the true facts or answers
They just follow the leaders they fear or adore.

The falsehoods of politics shadow man’s soul
Testing our faith, temperament and resolve.
Real heroes defend, liberate and unite
Facing problems with a mandate to solve.

President Obama I pray for your wisdom
To deal with America’s troubles and enemies at hand.
Man’s world is God’s boot camp of divine worth
As the misdeeds of man crisscross the land.

SLAVERY

When you chain the neck of a slave
The other end fastens to you.
Your heart and soul become corrupt
And all which is evil you’ll do.

No government shall exist for ever
Who's people are not really free.
Though around the world there are those
Who stay blind to how life should be.

Any who must enslave others
Will dwell in their own living hell
After death, they’ll join their master
In that place from heaven he fell.

But till then we’ll fight and resist
Making them put their chains away
And those of us who may die first
From heaven shall watch and pray.

By Conservative Poet
Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
On The Web

TOM ZART’S RADIO POEMS

You can hear all of Tom Zart’s 330 poems
of love, war, faith and more 24-7 on web radio at

http://internetvoicesradio.com/Arch-TomZart.htm

Tom Zart ARCHIVES:

Global
Special
Operations
101

http://www.globalspecialoperations.com/tomzart2.html

Armenians suffered more than blacks. One and half million were vanished.
I wish we were slaves than vanished!
Still our case remains unrecogized by American and British only, inspite been recogized by all world leaders.
We hope Obama will do.

Slayers Hands, Slain Homeland

No one can seize us to declare;
We are asking our wants to prevail.
Not far, the rights will plainly emerge;
Victim’s curse cannot fade in the sail.
We are phalanges of vanished hands,
Narrating their penning left decades, unsound.
Knowing exactly what the slaughters’ brutal rule did,
Ending innocent lives, unknown in known’s creed.
Let our screams from bleeding, tearful souls
Reach senators, MPs dressed in men’s clothes.
They pretend solemnly, unable to announce
As they can hardly face the criminal’s dice.
Let us help every soul who speaks in a true voice.
In terrains where flesh decays, uncanned,
Recognition of human rights is mighty just,
Even if almost a century* of cruelties elapsed
Since all is committed by vicious hands in vile minds!
* Armenian Genocide began on April 24, 1915, and continued until 1923.
There were many massacres before, but they were not defined as genocide.

OBAMA AND THE HINGE OF HISTORY

The hinge of history swings in all directions
As the happenings of the past are written down.
Out of all that has occurred since man's beginnings
Less has been recorded than waits to be found.

Babylonians kept chronicles of history
Hebrews wrote the past as a dramatic story.
Greeks had no faith in the future at all
Believing mans repeated errors doom his glory.

Christians added a new dimension to history
Looking forward to Christ's return to earth.
An on going drama involving man and God
Believing all are created of equal worth.

Some have asked why must we study history
It just encourages us to live in the past.
When we forget history we repeat its mistakes
As the outcome of humanity is cast.

FORMIDABLE FOE

Fellow Americans

America is the birthday cake of earth
As the ants march from every direction.
Thank God for all who have sworn to defend her
Serving with love, honor, pride, and affection.

Since the first day George Washington marched off to war
There have been those who have wished our demise.
Their hatred, fueled by jealousy and greed
Was defeated by our brave and the wise.

Once again, we must face a formidable foe
Who have pledged by their God to destroy us all
Misusing their faith as an excuse to kill
As for a worldwide jihad, their leaders call.

Some say we should try to appease them
For if we resist, they'll hate us even more.
But the David's among us shall cast our stones
Defeating them, as it was done before.

AFTER DEATH

The joy of life is like a fading flower
And the wrath of death is to shrivel and decay.
Committing our spirits to either right or wrong
Simply by how we choose to live our night or day.

After death the wicked cease to be troublesome
And all who are weary have forever to rest.
People who apply their heart to seek out wisdom
Are lovingly remembered by all they have blessed.

Let there be no sad farewell after we have gone
Hopefully to heaven, where worthy souls live on.
Searching for reunion with others we once knew
Be they Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu or Jew.

By Conservative Poet
Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
On The Web

TOM ZART’S RADIO POEMS

You can hear all of Tom Zart’s 330 poems
of love, war, faith and more 24-7 on web radio at

http://internetvoicesradio.com/Arch-TomZart.htm

Tom Zart ARCHIVES:

Global
Special
Operations
101

http://www.globalspecialoperations.com/tomzart2.html

HILLARY’S AGENDA
FOR
THE MAD DOGS OF MAN

Wherever dwell the mad dogs of man
There is corruption, plunder and hate.
In every city, town or village
Those who promote distrust deserve their fate.

All are born as an innocent child
Till misled by others along the way.
God has always loved his children
Though it breaks His heart when they stray.

The mad dogs of man never repent
For they have no sense of shame or sorrow.
Worshiping dominance and the dark side of life
Abusing victims as if there were no tomorrow.

Samson, Solomon, Moses and David
Were chosen by God to stand tall.
They faced great odds and the fear of death
Refusing to ignore their call.

The falsehoods of politics shadow man’s soul
Testing our faith, temperament and resolve.
Real heroes defend, liberate and unite
Facing problems with a mandate to solve.

No government shall exist forever
Who's people are not really free.
Though around the world there are those
Who stay blind to how life should be.

Support our troops who battle the horde
While we live the good life back home.
When you see a soldier show them your smile
Say “hello we love you and your not alone.”

The mayhem of conflict is a ongoing scourge
Robbing man from intended glory.
The hinge of history swings in all directions
As the madness of war tells its story.

What we accomplish is heaven’s measure
As patriots respond to the threats of man.
Protect and defend what we love till death
As the soldiers of Satan arise from the sand.

Never be afraid to be proud of America
And march with the thankful, honorable and just.
Never surrender our freedom of choice
Standing firm for what we believe and trust.

By Conservative Poet
Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
On The Web

TOM ZART’S RADIO POEMS

You can hear all of Tom Zart’s 330 poems
of love, war, faith and more 24-7 on web radio at

http://internetvoicesradio.com/Arch-TomZart.htm

Tom Zart ARCHIVES:

Global
Special
Operations
101

http://www.globalspecialoperations.com/tomzart2.html

UNYIELDING HONOR WORLD WAR III

Weakness invites moral plight, war and aggression
Encouraged by mistrust, misjudgment and delay.
All we love can be destroyed and transformed
By the powers of darkness maneuvering our way.

When something wicked stares us in the face
To corrupt our morals, faith and resolve.
God gives us courage to defend what’s right
No matter the sacrifice or danger involved.

Evil seeks to destroy the good in man
And silence the memory of God’s law.
It’s up to the faithful to stay unyielding
Defending the liberty and justice of all.

Our men and woman who serve in harm’s way
Are the armor of what the free world depends on.
Without their sacrifice of body and soul
All that we stand for is gone.

GOD LOVES HIS SOLDIERS

Sometimes it’s hard to protect what is right
Sometimes we’re scorned as for others we fight.
Some of us are willing regardless of loss
To commit our soul to save the cross.

Evil prospers on greed and human hate
Always eager to destroy and defecate.
God’s grace descends on the souls of man
Cleansing the impure wherever He can.

As long as man has struggled on earth
Life has had its troubles from birth.
God’s seed of goodness has delayed man’s demise
Thank Heaven for his heroes the strong and the wise.

The Lord adores his heroes of yesterday
Just how numerous, only He could say.
God loves his soldiers who line up to serve
By standing against evil His grace they deserve.

NEVER BE AFRAID TO BE PROUD of AMERICA

America, the abundant, the place I was born
I'll cherish till the day I die.
Where the bones of past heroes lie buried in the ground
Who loved her the same as I.

Her mountains are so tall they reach for the sky
With prairies where the green grasses grow.
There's billions of trees where wild birds nest
With creatures that flourish below.

That blue gold called water with which we are blessed
As raindrops or crystallized snow;
Changes to rivers and fresh water lakes
While the winds of our seasons blow.

There's the haunt of a whistle from a lonely freight train
Racing on ribbons of steel
With the harvest of farms and from the factories
Balanced in a box on a wheel.

Some cities have buildings a hundred stories tall
Structures of concrete, glass and steel.
A statue in a harbor, a present from France
Describes how, inside, we feel.

That flag on the moon with red and white stripes
Proves America’s dreams come true.
A country of heroes who line up to protect
The past, the present and the few.

We’ll defeat terrorism as it should be fought
Never letting Satan’s horde chase us to our door.
Safeguarding our borders and system of life
As our forefathers sacrificed before.

Never be afraid to be proud of America
And march with the brave, faithful and just.
Refusing to submit to the will of our enemies
Standing firm to preserve what we trust.

INTO THE TEETH of THE DOG

All through history man was born to struggle
Surviving nature, disease, greed, and war.
Since his conception he has remained the same
Choosing to serve evil or good as before.

Our boys and girls face the teeth of the dog
In hot spots all over our earth.
They leave their families and all they love
To protect and preserve what liberty is worth.

The foes they face are the mad dogs of man
With a desire to kill, disfigure and enslave.
They sing and dance to the death of others
Teaching principles of hate till the grave.

Support our troops who battle the horde
While we live the good life back home.
When you see a soldier show them your smile
Say “hello we love you and your not alone.”

THE MAD DOGS OF MAN

Wherever dwell the mad dogs of man
There is corruption, plunder and hate.
In every city, town, or village
Those who promote distrust deserve their fate.

All are born as an innocent child
Till mislead by others along the way.
God has always loved his children
Though it breaks His heart when they stray.

The mad dogs of man never repent
For they have no sense of shame or sorrow.
Worshiping dominance and the dark side of life
Abusing victims as if there were no tomorrow.

God gives the will to sin no more
And to overcome evil unwilling to cease.
The mad dogs of man must be stopped
Who murder, rape and destroy world peace.

Samson, Solomon, and David
Were chosen by God to stand tall.
They faced great odds and the fear of death
Refusing to ignore their call.

The time has come for the good men of earth
To band together to restrain the horde.
Standing firm against tyranny where it exists
Putting the mad dogs of man to the sword.

WHERE WARS ARE WON OR LOST

Wars are waged by older men
In battle rooms in countries apart.
Who call for greater firepower
And troops for the combat chart.

While out among the shattered flesh
The dreams of all have turned gray.
So young and determined their faces were
Till on the battlefield they lay.

Unable to overcome their pride
The politicians cast their vote.
For this or that or something else
As the rage of war sounds its note.

Wherever wars are won or lost
The soldiers fall like toys.
Down through history it remains the same
Most who die are hardly more than boys.

Like monkeys in a revolving cage
Man squabbles for the peanuts of power.
When will we rise above our greed
And become as a beautiful flower?

Death to death, dust to dust
The wrath of war is a horrible crime.
It’s the beast within that still prevails
As it has through the torments of time.

WAR IS THE GREATEST PLAGUE OF MAN

As war is fought it takes charge
And events spin out of control.
The madness of men can alter the soil
Which nourishes the roots of their soul.

Many things will forever change
Far more then wished to be.
As the wrath of war starts to destroy
Those things we fight to keep free.

War is the greatest plague of man
Religion, state, and sanity.
Any scourge is more preferred
Than the one which disables humanity.

When war breaks out, boundaries change
And all who die are a token
Of the rage that must run it's course
Before words of peace are spoken.

War I hate, though not men, flags nor race
But war itself with its ugly face.
When we lose faith in the brave, which die
Then we're not fit to greet those who cry.

What distinguishes war isn't death
But that man is slain by fellow man.
Crushed by cruelty and injustice
With his enemy's murderous hand.

War tends to punish the punishers
So the losers won't suffer alone.
The essence of war is but violence
Till the survivors come marching home.

Sometimes it's hard to defend what's right
Sometimes we're forced to rise up and fight.
Sometimes we survive, while others must die
Sometimes never knowing the reason why.

The rush of combat is a natural buzz
Caused by fear, leaving nothing as it was.
Hunting one another like wild game
Without a shortage of those to blame.

Sometimes victory comes too slow or quick
Sometimes the cost on both sides is sick.
Sometimes God is asked to intervene
To help stop the savage from being so mean.

War is a hell we visit before death
Fueled by the whisper of the devil's breath.
There must be a reason man destroys man
But why it is so, I can't understand.

SEPTEMBER 11th

After suffering the wrath of a sneak attack
America now mourns to her very core.
Though soon her enemies shall all but flee
From the sound of America waging full war.

Let there be no doubt, no doubt at all
That the devil has decided to give us a call.
We shall defeat hell’s soldiers and cast them out
And if we die; that's what freedom is about.

We shall seek them out wherever they may hide
Street by street, house-by-house, cave by cave.
They will be eradicated from the face of the earth
By the righteous, the loyal and the brave.

SATAN’S HORDE SHALL BE REMOVED

Overrun with war and uncontrolled leaders
Our world becomes more dangerous each day.
Dishonest politicians, criminals and the media
Survive by their falsehoods at play.

Bible believers preach, that the end is near
Our world as a whole is beyond reform.
God will eradicate all which is wicked
By His fire of eruption and storm.

To evil’s victory, I will never concede
May its supporters anguish in hell.
By the grace of God and the power of faith
The goodness of man will prevail.

What we accomplish is heaven’s measure
As patriots respond to the threats of man.
Protect and defend what we love till death
As the soldiers of Satan arise from the sand.

SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF WORLD WAR III

Our sons and daughters serve in harms way
To defend our way of life.
Some are students, some grandparents
Many a husband or wife.

They face great odds without complaint
Gambling life and limb for little pay.
So far away from all they love
Fight our soldiers for whom we pray.

The plotters and planners of America's doom
Pledge to murder and maim all they can.
From early childhood they are taught
To kill is to become a man.

They exploit their young as weapons of choice
Teaching in heaven, virgins will await.
Destroying lives along with their own
To learn of their falsehoods too late.

The fearful cry we must submit
And find a way to soothe them.
Where defenders worry if we stand down
The future for America is grim.

Now's not the time to fight one another
Or kiss our enemy's cheek.
All through history it remains the same
The strong enslave the weak.

May God continue to bless America
Refusing evil, the upper hand.
It's up to us to stay resolute
Defending the liberty of Man.

SO DEAR TO MY HEART

So dear to my heart are my loved ones at home
As I toss and I turn in my bunk all alone.
Everyday I see death, hate, and corruption
Combat is God's proof of man's malfunction

For family, comrades, and myself I pray
To my love with this poem I wish to convey.
I knew I loved you though never how much
Till by war, I'm forced beyond your touch.

Where violence thrives, there's the stench of death
With the taste of fear on every breath.
Who shall prevail, who shall die
As the sadistic kill beneath God's sky.

Baghdad has become man's highway to hell
Where the hearts of darkness are alive and well.
I count each day till it's time to come home
And be with my love and never alone.

Love You
Your Marine

FREEDOM

In their new uniforms
The young march off
Not knowing who shall return.
With a proud devotion
They brandish their flag
Leaving loved ones to wonder and yearn.

May we all be buried
By all of our children
Is an ancient tribal prayer.
They're so easy to lose
But so hard to forget
Such a burden for a parent to bear.

Oh, the taste of victory
Shall soon be forgotten
But, never that which was lost.
For those rows of white headstones
In peaceful green fields
Make it easy to tally the cost.

America has survived all attempts to destroy
Knowing the cruelty of war
And, we who remain
Must help keep her free
For those who can march no more!

OUR FLAG

Our flag is fabric wove of thread
Carried by heroes live and dead.
She stands for justice and courage too
With her colors; red, white and blue.

For all who serve her, there'll be cheers
For any who die, there'll be tears.
For all who love her, life is swell
For those who harm her, war is hell.

How many moms have cried before
As they sent their children to war.
How many dads have not returned
Because our freedom must be earned.

Wars were waged where brave men died
As patriots fought side by side.
Our flag is still the pearl of earth
Because of those who prove her worth.

LOVE OF COUNTRY

I dedicate this poem from inside my tent
As the desert winds keep it's silhouette bent.
My love of country is at full boil now
I'd like to describe it but it's hard to know how.

Tomorrow I'll hunt those who enjoy our death
Cursed by their hatred and foulness of breath.
I don't care if it's another God they serve
For their crime's retribution is what they deserve.

Their horde survives by a different set of rules,
Though soon they'll learn the fate of murderous fools.
Proudly I serve my homeland and president
Who I've sworn to defend one hundred percent.

While haunted by visions of what I must do
I fight for justice, and the red, white, and blue.

VETERAN'S DAY

The cost of freedom is sometimes high
Extremely more when our loved one's die.
Men and women pledged to fight and serve
And it's our support that they deserve.

Mankind itself is the one to blame
That all through history, the story's the same.
Peace, like love, can be hard to acquire
Subject always to enemy fire.

Some how the righteous tend to prevail
Over the miss-guided, prone to fail.
No wonder we fear the tongues that lie
As mankind squabbles beneath God's sky.

The danger our solders face is real
So lets let them know just how we feel.
Put forth your flag and show them your heart
As those we love from us depart.

THE BATTLE FOR BAGHDAD

Determined though scared, I walk my beat
On the deadly streets of Baghdad.
Searching for any who plot our harm
Or by our death are joyous and glad.

Standing in shadows caused by the moon
I'm reminded of my nights back home.
I wonder if the woman I love
Is growing tired of sleeping alone?

I feel remorse for all who live here
For this place is a madman's hell.
And those who wish to keep it that way
Must be killed or locked away in jail.

My greatest fear is not my death
But that I'll end up in a wheelchair.
Disabled for the rest of my life,
Depending on others for my care.

My wife, she prays for my safe return
As night and day more GI's are killed.
She knows quite well, whatever it takes
The oath I've given will be fulfilled.

SADDAM

The king of Baghdad has fallen
Never to dictate again.
Man shall sentence him for this crimes
And heaven shun him for his sin.

For his tyranny, he was famous
In every capital on earth.
Till apprehended in his spider hole
Completely stripped of his worth.

He is guilty of rape and genocide
While he ruled without remorse.
His power and prestige were toppled
Once George Bush set his course.

Though it may seem that the wicked triumph
And have conquered by their brutality of hand,
Through the power of faith they are defeated
By the seed of goodness in man.

FORMIDABLE FOE

America is the birthday cake of earth
As the ants march from every direction.
Thank God for all who have sworn to defend her
Serving with love, honor, pride, and affection.

Since the first day George Washington marched off to war
There have been those who have wished our demise.
Their hatred, fueled by jealousy and greed
Was defeated by our brave and the wise.

Once again, we must face a formidable foe
Who have pledged by their God to destroy us all
Misusing their faith as an excuse to kill
As for a worldwide jihad, their leaders call.

Some say we should try to appease them
For if we resist, they'll hate us even more.
But the David's among us shall cast our stones
Defeating them, as it was done before.

SHOULD TOMORROW START WITHOUT ME

Should tomorrow start without me
Remember I love you.
Looking down from up above
Seeing everything you do.

If I become a casualty
I pray you will love again
Whom ever makes you happy
I'll consider my friend.

Should tomorrow start without me
Remind our boys, God loves all who care.
And when life seems too harsh and cruel
With "Him" they must share their prayer.

I have proven I'm not a coward
Who breaks and runs to survive.
Always fearing death will kiss me
As the streets of Baghdad I drive.

Should tomorrow start without me
Be proud I choose to serve.
Our faith and our patriotism
Earn the freedom we deserve.

I miss home more than ever
It breaks my heart to stay away
I can't help but want to hold you
And whisper what I say.

AMERICAN SOLDIER

Our soldiers line up to be remembered
As the best of the best at their job.
They wish to be needed and depended on
To save all we love from the mob.

They risk their life and limb for liberty
Standing firm against evil unwilling to break.
To be part of something greater than themselves
They are willing to sacrifice whatever it will take.

THANK HEAVEN FOR HEROES

Thank heaven for the heroes of life
Who lead us to overcome those who are not.
The wise are grateful for all God's blessings
Where fools never realize what they've got.

America is the grain train of earth
Whose people exercise rule by their vote.
All have a chance to partake and prosper
As they arrive by foot, plane or boat.

Our freedom relies on the law of the land
Our future depends on our grit.
Our past has known both good and bad
And our mistakes we are willing to admit.

The grim of heart hate America
And choose to put her wonders to shame
The devotion of most who love and live here
Rise up to defeat the soldiers of blame.

THE LONELINESS OF WAR

I know I'm still here so far, far away
As I fight for what I believe is right.
I wonder about you and your mom
Every moment of every day and night.

The loneliness of war can drive you insane
If you don't get letters of concern from home.
Left, right, behind and ahead,
Death awaits leaving love ones alone.

We pray to God that we will be saved
To return home or live the here after.
Bloody, dirt-covered men, we see everyday
As we yearn for those times of laughter.

The far off stare of a fallen comrade
As you stay by his side till his end.
No mother ever carried her infant child
More carefully, than we do a friend.

Many have their own personal diaries
To help keep their faculties together.
Watching hot steel crash into human flesh
Always makes home seem far away and better.

I've become an expert at dodging, weaving and diving
So try not to worry too much about me.
Just help your mom and stand up from the ground
And while I'm gone be all you can be.

SACRIFICE,TRANSFORMATION,AND UNRESTRICTED WARFARE

The Japanese hadn't lost a war since 1598
Each man carried 400 rounds of ammunition
(twice as many as an American infantryman)
With five days rations and fearless determination.

The men in the badly wrapped brown uniforms
Since their early childhood had been taught
That to die for the emperor and one's country
Was the greatest of all glories to be sought.

Moreover, the hardware backing them was awesome
As sharpshooters they were accurate up to a thousand yards and more.
Their ships were faster, their guns bigger, Their torpedoes better
And their planes matchless in quality, aerobatics and score.

Only by sacrifice, transformation, and unrestricted warfare
Was America able to overcome and prevail.
Again America must stand firm to survive
As we face a new monster from Hell.

By Conservative Poet
Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
On The Web

TOM ZART’S RADIO POEMS

You can hear all of Tom Zart’s 333 poems
of love, war, faith and more 24-7 on web radio at

http://internetvoicesradio.com/Arch-TomZart.htm

Tom Zart ARCHIVES:

Global
Special
Operations
101

http://www.globalspecialoperations.com/tomzart2.html

THEY SERVE TO PRESERVE

They serve to preserve our forefathers dreams,
Prayers, visions and determination.
Risking all in pursuit of fulfillment of duty
To God, freedom, faith, honor and nation.

Despite dismemberment, death and loneliness
Patriots enlist to safeguard our flag.
With honor, faith, purpose and courage
They battle the sadistic that brag.

Throughout man’s past as a creature of earth
War has always plagued his expectance.
Greed, hate, fear, envy and rage
Have overruled rapture and repentance.

David was a soldier who lived by his faith
Which gave him the will to become brave.
He stood up to terror and toppled the giant
Leaving Goliath headless and alone in his grave.

David’s call thrives in hearts of soldiers today
Shielding liberty from the warmongers of hell.
Facing down evil refusing to summit
Ensuring freedom and justice are alive and well.

Those of us blessed by the safety of home
Must remember the sacrifice of the few.
Run up your flag and show your support
For the heroes of the red, white and blue.

By Conservative Poet
Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
On The Web

WHERE ARE THE SOLDIERS

Where are the soldiers who march in line?
Where are the soldiers every color and kind?
Where are the soldiers who made their moms cry?
Where are the pilots who face death in the sky?

Where are the soldiers born brave of heart?
Where are the girls and boys that part?
Serving our country with their future on the line
Battling the enemies of freedom of mind.

All of us are soldiers with missions of our own
We do what we do as history is sown.
Support our troops who we love and adore
Support our troops with prayers, letters and more.

Where are the soldiers so far, far away?
How many will perish no one can say.
Where are the soldiers we love night and day?
Deployed world over to keep evil at bay.

By Conservative Poet
Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
On The Web

THE STONING OF WOMEN

There are those who still stone women
And we all know who they are.
They live in a world cursed by God
Where they murder mislead and scar.

They need no proof to denounce their wives
Of adultery, betrayal and worthlessness.
They hate all religions except their own
As they promote fear, death and hopelessness.

Never turn a blind eye toward wickedness
Instead support its defeat and demise.
Hearts consumed by the shadows of malice
Are terrified of the righteous and the wise.

The stoning of women is a performance from hell
And any country that allows it, will fail.
All men heed to the whispers of their soul
May goodness, and compassion take heed and prevail.

By Conservative Poet
Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
On The Web