War

Memorial Day: The Last Monday in May

~ peterbaldwinpoet ~ Leave a comment

A day of tribute, honor, & prayer,
to all those who left something there.
Not only those who gave it all,
but also those who saw one fall.

Those who were there and lost a friend,
have a memory that will never end.
Not only today, but everyday,
they take time to stop and pray.

War is tragedy that you can’t explain,
nobody knows who is to blame.
The price we pay is way too high,
especially when we say good-bye.

Nobody in war ever dies alone,
on the field, or here at home.
The military knocks at your door,
“I’m sorry, another casualty of war.”

What will ever pay the cost,
for the family that has suffered loss.
When all is given for this nation,
will a medal or citation.

The scars of war are not on the skin,
instead, the heart buried deep within.
Nothing anyone wants to talks about,
never able to pour it out.

We’re never the same as before,
for war cripples our very core.
We may come back in on piece,
but our memories will never cease.

So, for this Monday in the month of May,
take time to reflect and time to pray.
Remembering those who answered freedom’s call,
all gave some, some gave all.

Yet, in the midst of all this despair,
when the world is so unfair.
I find hope for life in only One,
and that is God’s very Son.

He’s the One who cares for me,
without Him, I wouldn’t be.
There’s nothing greater than His Grace,
He’s always there, whatever I face.

So trust Him in all you do,
He will always see you through.
He’ll never allow what you can’t bear,
He’ll shelter you in His Loving Care.

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Memorial Day: The Last Monday in May

~ peterbaldwinpoet ~ Leave a comment

A day of tribute, honor, & prayer,
to all those who left something there.
Not only those who gave it all,
but also those who saw one fall.

Those who were there and lost a friend,
have a memory that will never end.
Not only today, but everyday,
they take time to stop and pray.

War is tragedy that you can’t explain,
nobody knows who is to blame.
The price we pay is way too high,
especially when we say good-bye.

Nobody in war ever dies alone,
on the field, or here at home.
The military knocks at your door,
“I’m sorry, another casualty of war.”

What will ever pay the cost,
for the family that has suffered loss.
When all is given for this nation,
will a medal or citation.

The scars of war are not on the skin,
instead, the heart buried deep within.
Nothing anyone wants to talks about,
never able to pour it out.

We’re never the same as before,
for war cripples our very core.
We may come back in on piece,
but our memories will never cease.

So, for this Monday in the month of May,
take time to reflect and time to pray.
Remembering those who answered freedom’s call,
all gave some, some gave all.

Yet, in the midst of all this despair,
when the world is so unfair.
I find hope for life in only One,
and that is God’s very Son.

He’s the One who cares for me,
without Him, I wouldn’t be.
There’s nothing greater than His Grace,
He’s always there, whatever I face.

So trust Him in all you do,
He will always see you through.
He’ll never allow what you can’t bear,
He’ll shelter you in His Loving Care.

(This poem was originally published in 2014, but due to its popularity, we brought it back this year.)

My Cemetery Walks

~ peterbaldwinpoet ~ Leave a comment

I took a trip to the cemetery,
and used my time to look around.
To my own amazement,
I was surprised at what I found.

Some sat on a bench,
while others had their lunch.
Some were planting flowers,
making such a pretty bunch.

Some others at a grave site sat,
so lonely and depressed.
They seemed to talk to themselves,
yet to others for sure, I guessed.

I walked up to one man,
who sat there by himself.
Put my hand on his shoulder,
and asked him if I could help.

He looked right into my eyes,
and then he began to speak.
He needed a moment to clear his throat,
but his voice seemed rather weak.

But as we continued to talk,
he seemed to gain more life.
He told me he was all alone,
and here lies his son and wife.

We talked a little about the war,
he had me by twenty years.
But he seemed grateful for company,
yet I would have shared his tears.

He made me think of future days,
when I might be sitting there.
Would my shoulder feel a hand,
of someone who might really care.

I need to spend more time,
among the grave sites there.
To walk among the lonely,
and be an instrument of God’s care.

May God, by His Holy Spirit,
guide me along the way.
May my cemetery walks,
inspire and comfort every day.

May my opportunity to share,
comfort many in need.
And many get to know,
Jesus Christ indeed.

Veterans Day: Salute to Our Soldiers

~ peterbaldwinpoet ~ Leave a comment

A time to honor,
Veteran’s Day pride and true.
For all who fought,
for the Red, White, & Blue.

A time to remember,
a time to care.
A time to thank God,
we came home from there.

War just goes on & on,
I wonder if it will ever cease.
And all over soldiers are safe and sound,
and the world would be at peace.

But peace can only come for man,
when we let God be in control.
And blend our heart & mind in Him,
and His angels on patrol.

God, the only true and lasting One,
Who is never wrong in anything.
He is perfection, peace, and love,
after all, He is God & King.

Starting Over (United in Life)

~ peterbaldwinpoet ~ Leave a comment

War is something that seems to never end,
the former is easy to fight and defend.
Open battle, or deep within,
the latter tears your heart, you can’t win.

You hope to outgrow all your trouble and strife,
as you stand shoulder to shoulder, united in life.
But still the war will never be won,
because I stand still, one and one.

I have so much hidden and buried inside,
those parts of life I need to hide.
Those embarrassing moments I don’t want known,
that personality that’s strictly my own.

The character traits that make me unique,
but others may view them and call me weak.
I put up a front of what people can expect,
and live a life of stolen respect.

No one knows the real person you are,
you present your life on even par.
No one knows the hurt that tears you apart,
each day weakening more of your heart.

You yell and scream for someone to hear,
hoping against hope because of the fear.
That one day you may have to remove the wall,
and on that day, experience the fall.

I sit and cry, alone in my tears,
but life hasn’t changed through the years.
Change must come by God’s mercy and grace,
or I’ll never get to see his shining face.

I have to surrender and give up my whole,
and remember that it’s God who’s in control.
Everything He does works out for good,
and in His holiness, it surely would.

He would never go against my free will,
He payed my ransom on Calvary’s Hill.
Now the Holy Spirit can live and abide,
I have no reason to continue to hide.

“So Lord,” I ask, “and continue to pray,
help, so my choices are the Way.
Take my life from this moment on,
let my past be forgiven and gone.”

Praise and worship to my Lord and King,
“You are my purpose for everything.
Lord, I surrender, renew my heart,
from this day forward, a brand new start.”

Memorial Day: The Last Monday in May

~ peterbaldwinpoet ~ Leave a comment

A day of tribute, honor, & prayer,
to all those who left something there.
Not only those who gave it all,
but also those who saw one fall.

Those who were there and lost a friend,
have a memory that will never end.
Not only today, but everyday,
they take time to stop and pray.

War is tragedy that you can’t explain,
nobody knows who is to blame.
The price we pay is way too high,
especially when we say good-bye.

Nobody in war ever dies alone,
on the field, or here at home.
The military knocks at your door,
“I’m sorry, another casualty of war.”

What will ever pay the cost,
for the family that has suffered loss.
When all is given for this nation,
will a medal or citation.

The scars of war are not on the skin,
instead, the heart buried deep within.
Nothing anyone wants to talks about,
never able to pour it out.

We’re never the same as before,
for war cripples our very core.
We may come back in on piece,
but our memories will never cease.

So, for this Monday in the month of May,
take time to reflect and time to pray.
Remembering those who answered freedom’s call,
all gave some, some gave all.

Yet, in the midst of all this despair,
when the world is so unfair.
I find hope for life in only One,
and that is God’s very Son.

He’s the One who cares for me,
without Him, I wouldn’t be.
There’s nothing greater than His Grace,
He’s always there, whatever I face.

So trust Him in all you do,
He will always see you through.
He’ll never allow what you can’t bear,
He’ll shelter you in His Loving Care.

(This poem was originally published in 2014, but due to its popularity, we brought it back this year.)

PTSD

~ peterbaldwinpoet ~ Leave a comment

In honor of Word on the Pete’s 1st anniversary, we’d like to present to all our readers the famous poem that was awarded 1st place at the 2010 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

PTSD,
is not how life is meant to be.
It kills the feeling of heart and mind,
and the eyes to the soul become blind.

The tragedy of life and trauma of war,
tears us apart at our very core.
They leave us a feeling of hopeless despair,
taking away all dreams and care.

It deprives us of our zest for life,
buries us deeper in turmoil and strife.
It grabs hold of our life and doesn’t let go,
but life is not designed to struggle so.

We are attacked with fits of rage,
and we battle this at any age.
Everywhere we turn seems out of control,
and the more we dig, the deeper the hole.

But I will not surrender this battle for life,
because there is victory in this fight.
Life can be turned completely around,
it all depends on where your heart is found.

All things are possible to those who believe,
all God asks is to just receive.
He’ll hold you in His hand with care,
He’ll never allow what you can’t bear.

The staff here helps to set your course,
but God still remains your final source.
It’s time to accept facts and understand,
you’re on the rock or sinking sand.

PTSD,
is not what the letters means to me.
Point Towards Someone Divine,
and take back the life that’s mine.