Marine Corps 246th Birthday

 Thinking today about

my fellow Marines.

All gave some.

Some gave all.

There are no

ex-Marines,

especially me,

even now at 77,

still at home,

ready and awaiting orders.

My fellow Marines did not, 

contemporary Marines do not,

fight for some higher authority.

Nearly never.

They fought and fight for each other,

keeping their pledge,

abiding by their oath,

operating with ruthless honor.

They fought and fight together,

my brothers and sisters,

protecting the living and

attending to their higher obligation,

remembering the dead.

My brothers and sisters.

The Marines.

Even when I have not met them,

I know them, I appreciate them, and

I love them.

Semper fidelis.

One Veteran’s Veterans Day Story

 I write, inspired by the writing of others,

especially the words of Veterans, 

my sisters and brothers,

As age has flattened me,

as humility has claimed me,

I write less of combat,

more of my Spiritual mission,

about oneness, unity and transition,

what some call God, universal cognition.

Not knowing what tomorrow will bring,

I’ll still write about it, in my own voice,

allow my heart and soul to sing,

I don't always

cross bridges

with joy and ease.

I am still a work in progress,

sometimes struggling,

but always thrilled by

my fellow veterans' 

achievements and triumphs.

I enjoy seeing their success,

especially because I only

hang out with people I love,

comrades who support me.

I have made many mistakes 

but none of them 

involved loving too much.

The longer I live,

the more I see

everything is Divinity.

Every thing I have.

Every thing I do.

Every thing I achieve.

Every thing I am.

Every thing I will be.

How far I have come.

How wonderful this life is.

When I look into the mirror,

I sometimes laugh out loud.

I’m funny that way,

recalling that foreign objects

enter oysters to make pearls.

How it is with my many scars.

Guilt, shame, sadness and remorse 

moved my past life, but no longer,

as age, experience and truth

have softened and humbled me,

I know that whenever answers elude me,

when success seems to run from me,

even if I forget to be grateful for what I have,

the Grace of Spirit will carry me home.

A Couple of movement pieces

 Bungee Blessings

Freely falling

into gratitude,

inching, improving

my attitude,

steadfastly sharing

my place,

always aware 

of God’s Grace.

—————————-

Peace, Please

Jumping on the Veterans bandwagon,

the one with fire and dreams,

where we fight and we aspire,

at least that’s the way it seems,

to never create another Veteran,

at least not the combat kind.

No more wars, please,

at the least, if you don’t mind.

MEG’s birthday

 

My Scorpio Friend

You are knowledgeable,

smarter than the average bear.

You know what’s what,

you know where’s where.

You have the gift of perception 

and clear insight.

You know what’s wrong,

you know what’s right.

No one can pull the wool

across your eyes.

You know the truth,

you know the lies.

It’s October 26th,

and come what may,

you know it will be amazing,

you know it’s your birthday!

Enjoy, dear MEG

Alive Day

 Alive Day

October 27 is my Alive Day, 54 years after death came alongside me, took several of my buddies, but didn’t claim me. Oh, it tried. It tried hard, even sending me floating above my corporeal self on the battlefield, having me meet with my mother, dead some nine years earlier, as she gave me directions to go back, and to live a good life. Alive Day is not a formal event, not so much celebrated as experienced, mostly by wounded veterans, but also by anyone who has had a brush with infinity. While not formal, it is a very real thing, the date one might have died or been killed, but wasn’t. I write about it, spend this day in reflection, as part of my own ongoing healing process, as my never-ending effort to be content when my actual transition occurs. I support veterans, by submitting to the Veterans Voices Writing Project, donating to the Wounded Warrior Project, being a life member of Disabled American Veterans,  and I urge veterans to make special note of their own Alive Day. 

Most, if they are like me, spent every day after their most important war - the one which happened to them - trying to forget what they saw, what they did. I learned, after years of denial, that it is healthier, more transformative, to remember. This is a very personal day, not one for speeches, for toasts, for “thank you for your service” comments. It is a day for self-thanks, for contemplation, a chance to listen to the whispers of gratitude and appreciation. This is a day to allow the memories to be heard, and shared if the sharing might contribute to the Good. This is how one heals and goes forward, in honor of fallen comrades, in appreciation for opportunities to be of service, living gratefully in the life one was given.

Exactly 54 years ago, some young corpsman risked his life and saved mine at Con Thien, at 0230, October 27, 1967. I wish I knew his name, could thank him in person, but I have never forgotten him, pulling me to safety and morphine until Puff and the medivac chopper arrived to carry me off, many hours later. I would so like him to know that I lived a good life, made a difference to many in need, and aim to be a true and steadfast friend.

Daniel George, 3/3/3, Third Battalion, Third Regiment, Third Marine Division Alumnus

If Only

 It’s Sunday somewhere else,

someplace where 

love and good and light,

are real in life,

just as real as toil and strife,

where “effortless effort”

is written in invisible ink

on nonexistent name tags,

where there’s music and prayer and meditation,

a break from madness, a soulful vacation.

I have no name for the effect,

but I do know what I might expect,

if I could but rise to attend,

my body to heal, my heart to mend.

Others would speak, I would listen,

and an unseen current

might course through me,

perhaps a tear might glisten.

Maybe it could be, possibly I’d see

that change is challenging

but hope is tangible,

and grace is possible.

If only.

RJC

 She shares her music on the road,

meets famous people so I’m told.

She sings at home for locals too,

for average folks like me and you.

She’s made of kindness, soulful love,

and she’s humble, a little bashful (well, sort of).

Friend, daughter, sister, wife,

she brings joy to everybody’s life.

In a world full of too much hateful

she gives us reasons to be grateful,

stoking our better intended fires

as she writes and plays and sings, 

she constantly inspires.

So on this fine October day,

we are happy that she came our way,

expressing ourselves enough to say

we hope she has a grand birthday.