WHERE WARS ARE WON OR LOST
Wars are waged by older men
In council rooms in countries apart.
Who call for greater firepower
And troops for the battle 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 elders cast their vote.
For this or that or something else
As the thunder 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 pass are hardly more than boys.
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.
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!
TEARS
Tears are the raindrops of the soul
And there’s one for all who die.
They are the silent words of grief
As they fall free from the eye.
The shortest verse in the Bible
Is the one where Jesus wept;
So, if you hold back tears, "shed them"
When your pains too harsh to accept.
Tears are lovelier than a smile
When they come from those you love.
As they seek relief from sadness,
When you’re summoned from above.
Tears are a love-mates humble gift
When it’s time to say goodbye,
Though the eyes are wet and swollen,
With time and patience they dry.
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.
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.
SOMETIMES
I’m a soldier, who fights on foreign soil,
Some say, we’re here, because of oil.
But, I’ll do my duty and proudly serve;
Knowing death may await me around the curve.
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 to 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.
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.
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 make 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.
Love Dad
By Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
On The Web
Wars are waged by older men
In council rooms in countries apart.
Who call for greater firepower
And troops for the battle 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 elders cast their vote.
For this or that or something else
As the thunder 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 pass are hardly more than boys.
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.
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!
TEARS
Tears are the raindrops of the soul
And there’s one for all who die.
They are the silent words of grief
As they fall free from the eye.
The shortest verse in the Bible
Is the one where Jesus wept;
So, if you hold back tears, "shed them"
When your pains too harsh to accept.
Tears are lovelier than a smile
When they come from those you love.
As they seek relief from sadness,
When you’re summoned from above.
Tears are a love-mates humble gift
When it’s time to say goodbye,
Though the eyes are wet and swollen,
With time and patience they dry.
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.
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.
SOMETIMES
I’m a soldier, who fights on foreign soil,
Some say, we’re here, because of oil.
But, I’ll do my duty and proudly serve;
Knowing death may await me around the curve.
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 to 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.
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.
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 make 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.
Love Dad
By Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
On The Web
