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What Can We Offer This War
Cindy Daniels copyright March
2003 What can we offer to the ones in the field
so far from their
families now this war is so real:
we're the ones in the our living rooms,
tuned to CNN
our hands to our mouths when bad news floods on in,
But what
can we offer this war? What can we offer to the relatives who cry
at
the phone shrilly ringing to go identify:
with hearts full of remorse we can
only stand still
out of respect for the lost, on our knees we can
kneel,
But what can we offer this war?
What can we offer as you crawl
tanks and eat dirt
across sandy foreign deserts hoping no comrades get
hurt:
dragging in at all hours, no word on things back at home
does doubt
begin to plague you, soldier, when you are alone?
What can we offer this
war? Do you hear our prayers over the protests and shouts,
do you feel
our support for you as you move artillery out?
can you see our flags waving -
red, white and blue…
do you know how many strangers owe their lives to you?
What can we offer this war?
What can we offer when journalists relate
all the news,
of all that has happened when they zoom in on the
troops:
can you feel our helplessness and the wringing of hands
of us
that wish we could help you in such a faraway land?
What can we offer this
war?
What can we offer as one of Ours goes down -
we watch in horror
as proof of chemical weapons are found,
biological and nuclear destruction
seems clear…
just what will it take for Divine Intervention to
appear?
What can we offer this war?
And when the war is over, soldier,
we will all stop to count our loss
You'll each go down in history for you
were soldiers with a cause.
You met your challenges bravely, they were
courageous steps to take,
and you are heroes in the eyes back home for it was
others much at stake.
We can offer praise with upheld arms to the
skies
for Almighty God, and His mercy, and the strength in His eyes;
We
can offer faith to every soldier in the East
and pray for their safety, as
well as their peace. We can help the families left behind here at
home
To show someone cares so they won't feel quite so alone:
We can fly
our flags and know just what these colors mean
We can stand behind our
leaders, no matter what it seems.
Is this so much to offer when the soldiers
gave their ALL?
Cindy Daniels
Copyright ©2002
Today I Wept
Today, as I soar over the majestic buildings that my people have built out of
innovation and determination, I wept. As I look below me I see the scenes
of devastation caused by a rogue group of criminals that hold nothing sacred,
not even their own lives. I wept for the pain and suffering they have
wrought on my people. Yes, today is the day I wept.
Now is their time, their time to care for those they can, to shed their
tears, to grieve and to bury their dead. However, the time will come, when
they have had time to regroup and plan, that I personally will lead them as they
hunt down those responsible. They will do as I, when I hunt, swoop down from
the sky nearly un-noticed and take their prey. I will be there with them as
they do these things for they have chosen me, of all the great creatures in this
world, as their national emblem and I will represent them well. But today,
today is the day I wept.
You have seen me in many different images through the years. You have seen
me portrayed as a predator, an emissary of action and there have even been
cartoon characters of me in various forms and images. However, today it is the
image of my tears being shed that represents me best. Because today is the
day I wept.
In the days that follow the tears will have been dried and the resolve will
have been strengthened. It is then that you will see me in many more
images, images which include me clothed in the flag of my people, with various
military themes and in various caricatures. All of these will represent me
at any given moment during the days, weeks and months that follow. For I
have steeled myself, that as the rodent that I would swoop down upon and use
for sustenance, my people will emulate me. Their wonderful machines that
allow them to share my skies will appear to the perpetrators of this crime as a
great bird of prey choosing, then taking it's next meal. These criminals
will be made to pay a heavy price because of their actions on this day, the
day I wept.
So I beg of you, do not look upon me weak as I shed tears for my people.
Give me too time to grieve and hurt with them for their pain and suffering
is as my own. But......In the days ahead I will turn my full attention to those
that have attacked my country. They will know the fear of the mouse in the
fields as they see me glide overhead. They will know the pain of my talons
and yes, some of them will know the pain of death.
I beg you not to pull back from the reality that some must and will die. As
in nature the strong survive and my people are the strongest of all. Do not
let your resolve and determination slack, because I will be fed and sustained by
you. Do not lose faith in me because I can't accomplish what must be done
overnight. Do feel the same pride and sense of one that you feel now.
Continue to look to me, as a symbol of your country. Fly your flags and support
the troops that will be the instrument of your resolve. Most importantly
look to the God that has created us all for He will be with us.
There will come a time when I will look back on today, it will be the day
that I wept, but it will not be the day that I
abandoned my people.
Michael Johnson
Fortune Cookies
Am on my way to war, the stuff of cowboys and Indians.
The plane lands in a hollow cheeked plateau. The sunrises with a bayonet
centered between the eyes of my life.
I think of home, my children, my wife.
My steps take a stumbling, staggering shove into an eight
foot hole; a rotten green stench crawls up my leg; vomit feasting centipedes
dance around my swollen feet. And I think of the fortune cookie handed over when
I left for the game of reality. “Stay tough” the message read. I hear teasing
chopper blades, a shaft of blue through a slit in the bamboo. Too many days and
years I've been caged. I've forgotten the date, even my age.
There’s days of rat pellet rice, and days of black tea
salted for spite. The hellish heat colors my skin gray; the peeling flakes feed
jungle ants till their bellies swell.
These snake eyed captors expect me to convert, to lie and
grow a long nose; I'm not Pinochhio! And, Hanoi Jane came grinning and, growing
a long nose! Her ears big as elephants listening to their distorted
philosophies.
The cold spreads a numbing chill. I feel my body curl up
in a fetal fold; those ants begin to look good if only the earthen mud was
chocolate. Stale crackers take on the scent of steaks in a moment of starving
hallucination.
And these years in isolation have driven me to a madness.
Tree roots knotted into prayer beads; I mold a pillow out of raw clay patting it
smooth laying down my thoughts exhausted.. God give me a strength, give me a
sign to “stay tough." Give me honor, my dignity, give me a truth. Talk to me God,let me live to be free-
©Bette Mioduski
2002
America
Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not take
away your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone, because
we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to
have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your
pain.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the
American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you.
Teresa Jahn
For Those I Love,
for those who love
me
When I am gone,release me,let me
go.
I have so many things to see and
do.
You mustn't tie yourseif to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so
many years.
I gave my love, you can only guess,
How much you gave me
in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now
it's time I travel on alone.
So grieve a while for me, if grieve you
must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for awhile
that we must part.
So bless the memories that be within your heart.
I
won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will
come.
Though you can't see or touch me,I'll be near,
And if you listen
with your heart you will hear,
All of my love around you soft and
clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you
with a smile and "Welcome Home."
This is for my "Family I miss all
of you"
Pat Theriot
I’ll Take It
From Here
(Pass Colors)
May
2, 2002
Above the destruction, our flag proudly waves,
in answer to a question of old.
Amid shattered
buildings, our spirit stands tall, in this land
of the free and the bold.
As deep in the rubble, one hero struggles,
trying to save a life,
Another hero comes
to carry the flag far away from home and wife.
“I’ll take it from here,” the soldier says,
“Please, just keep doing your part.”
“I leave
it to you to keep serving here and healing the
injured hearts.”
“As for me, I’ll take this flag, our Glory
as I go.
And in that foreign land, I’ll fight,
though my fate I do not know.”
“Well, I thank you, Soldier,” the fireman
says, “Your fight helps freedom live on,”
“It’s
people like you who’ve made this country so
great, and good, and strong.”
“It’s the least I can do,” the soldier replies,
“to protect great heroes like you.”
“You’re
dedicated to saving lives, you make a sacrifice,
too.”
And as one hero hands off the flag, there’s
cause for celebration,
Another hero carries
it away, as he goes to protect our nation.
As we go through our daily lives, enjoying
liberty whose cost is so dear,
Let us in
all the ways that we can, humbly answer, “I’ll
take it from here.”
Copyright 2002 Marcella Dawn Tom
My Last Flight
As our bird taxied down to the
end of the strip waiting for takeoff
not yet knowing none of us would ever
make it back.
After takeoff flying on that autumn day through a blue
sky
who would dare think we were part of a terrorist attack.
It was
just another day, another flight, I have flown before
but in a few minutes it
would all change, our lives and history forever.
This is something I hope no
one has to go through again
not now, not ever
So many things happen,
all too fast
still not imagining why or even think of what to do.
Faces
stared out the plane's windows.
Faces of fear looking for hope, not the
view.
Then that moment came in a flash
without meaning, without
pain.
Something I now remember of that day
the Lord's angels calling all
so many names.
As we stood on the steps leading up to heaven's
gate
God with open arms looked down on us from his throne.
He spoke softly
“I am here to guide you
through eternity at your new
home.’’
All your tomorrows will be without me
but
memories of me will always be in your heart.
So that whenever you have a
thought of me
never will we be very far apart.
Take care of yourself,
please do that for me
You will need your strength to take care of the
family.
Trust in the Lord for only he has the reason “Why
”
Never loose faith in God and this great
country.
These words are written just for you
So hopefully you may
understand what I'm trying to say.
I may no longer be able to stand beside
you
but this is where I belong now and here I am O K
By John
Tetor
Copyright ©2001 John Tetor
Cry No More For Me
When I left for work
that morning
I did not know that I would never come back.
With an autumn
blue sky and clouds you could almost touch
who would of ever thought of a
terrorist attack.
Some say it was our jobs and after all
it was what
their taxes paid us for.
But to me, my brothers and sisters
it was our
life, what we lived and died for.
That moment it all happened was just a
flash
I never felt anything, there was no pain.
The only thing I truly
remember of that day
was the angels calling name after name.
Flashes
of my life I saw before me
now they are all in the past.
With no longer
need to worry about tomorrow
peaceful eternity now and forever will
last.
Your tomorrow will start without me
but we will never be far
apart.
With every moment you think of me
I will forever be in your heart.
As we all stood before God
as he sat upon his great throne.
We
knew what we were there for
to enter our permanent home.
We know of
all the tears and pain
from loved ones we had to leave behind.
We hope
these words will help many
but answers to why, even we could not
find.
Our hearts are full of sorrow wishing everyone would
understand
We did what we loved “Our Jobs” and would do it over again.
Your hearts have our memories of
what we did and who we were,
may that give you courage and strength to help
wherever you can.
Help America stay the way it was intended
a
country that will always stay strong and free.
Do whatever
that has to be done to protect those rights
but please
"cry no more for
me."
By John Tetor
Copyright ©2001 John Tetor
Stand for Glory
Our Flag still stands for Glory,
as America tells
her story,
all the lives taken in the air,
oh the pain, she must
bear,
and the lives lost on the ground,
there is silence in the
sound.
As the world looks across the sky,
American Flags
they still fly,
others have felt this pain,
wondering who is to
blame,
as this story is read,
the whole world bows its
head.
We will remember their story,
and we will stand for
Glory,
for those who died,
in the Lord, we will
confide.
As a Father works his life away,
thinking what's it
for anyway,
no one can stop his pain,
his life won't be the same,
the
events that emptied his heart,
have torn the world apart.
As a Mother tucks her child in,
the world's full of
sin,
remembering brings her to her knees,
"bring him back, I beg you
please.
Help me, change this story,
help me, stand for
Glory."
We will remember their story,
and we will stand for
Glory,
for those who died,
in the Lord, we will
confide.
As a Child looks up in the sky,
just wondering
why,
"Where's my Mom and Dad?"
her face, so long and sad,
others have
felt her pain,
oh Lord, who can she blame?
Remembering an innocent infernal,
a Soldier writes
in his journal,
"My life won't be the same,
and so they weren't lost in
vein,
I will remember their story,
and I will stand for Glory,
for
those who died,
in the Lord, I will confide."
We will remember their story,
and we will stand for
Glory,
for those who died,
in the Lord, we will
confide.
Copyright
2001 Leah Bromley
Our
Wings Are Scorched Yes, our wings are scorched
we have been wounded
but in being hurt, we
are healed
God has blessed this country
for it's freedom and
kindness
to others who have less
I am confident that
our "Scorched
Wings" shall heal
and we will "Soar further and better"
and with all
American's eyes in constant watch
We shall never again be a victim of such
sorrow
Yes we will sour again, one small step at a time
God help all that
we have lost and
let us appreciate all that we have!
God Bless
America
Land That We Love
Stand Beside Us, and Guide Us
Together, hand
in hand, as we begin to
rebuild our land and our hearts
As we fly with Our
Eagle!
copyright by Joan Ashleigh
Miller
1/4/02
(Inspired
by the I Will Soar Again Design)
I
WILL SOAR AGAIN
By Brenda A. McMahon
My feathers are badly ruffled,
can you not
see?
I will soar again,
this is my guarantee.
I am proud and very patient,
and will renew
my strength;
I will not fear your evil,
for
I will go to every length.
I will soar through the sky,
and watch with
distant vision;
I will zero in on evil,
with
such great precision.
My people have come together,
and made my
Nation strong;
I will soar again,
for what
you did was wrong.
My power will prevail,
in the quietness of
the night;
For my strength is in the Lord,
and
I will soar by His light.
You may as well surrender,
to save many a
soul;
For I will soar again,
and literally
take control.
"Holy Spirit Creations"
10/08/01
Brenda A. McMahon
Proud to be an "American"
Listen my friend and you will hear
The goodness of God far and near,
The helping touch of fellow man
When
times are hard they lend a hand.
We are a God fearing nation who has a
soul
The goodness within us makes us whole,
We will welcome you to our
free country, shake your hand
Feed you at our table, because you are fellow
man.
We share in hard times and rally together
To make the world see
things can be better,
We will prevail because "United We Stand"
We are
about goodness and love across our land.
We see goodness first when all
is said and done
Because the goodness within us, keeps us united as
one
Evil is not welcome in our home land
We are Americans and "United We
Stand."
Pamela S. Pleasants
Copyright ©2001
Pamela Pleasants
Wings
(dedicated to the families who lost loved ones on Sept.
ll, 2001
It was a warm September day
The mighty trumpets
sounded,the sky made way,
The Angels came down from the Heavens above
To
gather the souls that were dearly loved.
The gates were opened, the
heavens so bright
Thousands walked toward the beautiful light,
Greeting
loved ones who had gone before
What rejoicing,hugging,laughter was ten
score
One by one they looked upon God's face
And he gave them such a
warm embrace,
"Welcome home my child, a job well done"
You have earned
your wings to look over loved ones.
It was a glorious day there I am
sure
But much sorrow for the ones left behind to endure,
The pain is so
great, not a word we can say
For your loved ones left unexpectantly that
day.
May the thoughts of their rewards in Heaven comfort
you.
Pam Pleasants
Copyright ©2001 Pam
Pleasants
A Letter To Terrorists
By: Rebecca Bingham
You lived in our
society,
But obviously didn't join us.
Otherwise you would have
known
that we don't condone suicide or murder
You killed over two
hundred people on those planes
Two hundred families without their loved
ones
Tonight and forever.
But that wasn't enough for you.
You had
to make sure that your point was made
By killing thousands/
You chose
a date that is important to us
In numeric terms 9-11
But that wasn't good
enough
You had to use our own words
United and
American
Don't think that your airline choice slipped by us
You
may have taken a building,
However, buildings can be rebuilt
You may
have wrecked those words,
But you didn't touch the meaning of those
words,
You only made them stronger
You have injured our innocent
people,
every one of us,
But you can't touch our spirit.
You are
nothing to us
We are stronger than you
We have been brought together
because of you
Or perhaps in spite of you
You will find out the TRUE
meaning of what you have done
Because
We are Americans who
live in the United States.
And our freedoms will not be taken away by
your actions.
Rebecca Bingham
There
is a feeling of sadness all around
as the holiday draws near
There
is a feeling of sadness all around as the holiday draws near
A
feeling of uncertainty, a loneliness, a fear
Our
country is at war and nothing seems the same
Many
people's lives have been altered
Who
is really to blame?
There
are children who lost their mothers and fathers
There
are wives whom lost their husbands
There
are husbands whom lost their wives
There
are a great many unaccounted for
Who
are presumed to have lost their lives
Traditional
shopping just don't feel quite right
Memories
of those who have lost their lives
Compassion
for those whom have lost their homes
Yearning
for those to come home whom have gone to war to fight
There
is a feeling of uneasiness, doubt, and confusion
The
freedom we once felt and knew seems more of an illusion
The
decorative trees and magic lights that once lit up the night
Are
now replaced by American flags to support those who have gone to fight
by:
Margaret Rodgers
12-15-01
That sad
and dark day, in September
A day everyone will always remember.
The
day started sunny and bright,
At 8:58am, it became a horrible sight
As
our Towers begain to burn and crumble,
The world felt a very hard
rumble.
It came down like rain,
causing much hurt and pain.
The
loss of life was great and sad,
Making the whole world mad and guiet
sad.
The tragedy that hit our city,
Hit us without pity.
Now
we have a dark and sad city,
But still stand proud and witty.
As you
all can see, we have come together as one
And for what they did, its not
done.
And as you look up at the houses,
All the Flags and lights in
Red, White and Blue
We all know now,
All America is TRUE !!
As
people look upon America now,
They see the Beauty and Wonders it
holds,
For this Counrty is worth its weight
In Solid
Gold.
Your Truely The Torres Family--- Brooklyn NY
Peace On Earth
The Angel's sang to the shepherd's that night.
Peace!
Peace! Peace! Peace on earth!
Peace! Peace! Peace! Peace on earth!
Peace!
Peace! Peace! Good will to all men.
Glory! Glory! Glory to God in The
Highest!
A Savior, Jesus, God's Son has been born.
OH! How I love
God's Only Baby Son.
To Him Salvation had already begun.
Jesus, God's Son,
grew and grew, to be a man.
He taught us how to live a life for Him.
By
His Grace, He gave His Life for me.
He gave Salvation, that day at
Calvary.
OH! How I love Thee, God's Only Son.
He came to give Peace,
to the hearts of all men.
He Loves and Cares, for you and me.
He died on
that Old Rugged Tree at Calvary.
For all need His Love, He came for
everyone.
The Angel's sang to the shepherd's that night.
Peace! Peace!
Peace! Peace on earth!
Peace! Peace! Peace! Peace on earth!
Peace! Peace!
Peace! Good will to all men.
Glory! Glory! Glory to God in The Highest!
A
Savior, Jesus, God's Son has been born.
Peace! Peace! Peace! Peace on
earth!
A Savior! A Savior! A Savior has been born.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Hallelujah! Praise Him!
Glory! Glory! To God in The Highest! Glory!
Glory!
A Savior! A Savior! A Savior has been born.
Peace! Peace! Peace!
Peace! Peace on earth.
Written By: Margaret Moore
Are You Ready?
"How many were ready?" should be our question,
Instead some are asking, "why?"
We all know we're
human And one day we all will die.
We just aren't usually really sure on which day and in which
hour
Just like the souls that on that day walked into each
Trade Tower.
No-one wants to think about the day that's deemed our end
but
let me take a minute here to talk to you my friend.
The body that you're walking in is just a HOLDING place
that
holds the life that REALLY counts and lets us live through grace.
The spirits of those people are as alive as you and me
The
question you should ask yourselves is "how many will you
see?"
They have no more chances to hear the Master's call.
The
choice as to where they'll live their lives was sealed by that
great fall
Some will live in mansions because our brother went there
first.
He said He'd be there to prepare and give to those
that thirst.
The rest of them are realizing that what they thought so
well
was the worse mistake they ever made There REALLY IS
a Hell!
People, you must here these words and BELIEVE in what is
said,
Don't you want to know WHERE you'll be when you're
considered dead?
It could happen any minute of any hour in any day
In
your car..a heart attack.. NONE of us can stay.
This horror grabbed the nations, they're now thinking more
of Him
To know Him is to trust Him in these times that are
so grim.
Satan rules this earthly world Our Father sent him here
to
prove to him that human man CAN live without great fear
His plan to rule as we all know was defeated from the start
he
will try his best to fool each man for evil's in his heart
The blood of innocents' been shed this is very plain
It's
been happening since life began It started first with Cain
Jesus said He'd come to those who call upon His love
and
they will live forever with our Father up above
The message here is simple. You'll only get ONE chance
so
you really better think today as you're putting on your pants
Is today my day? Will I be here tomorrow?
Will I live
in Paradise or will I face great sorrow?
Will you be ready and your family ready too?
Will you
see the pits of Hell or will Jesus welcome you?
Jesus is the ONLY way to save your soul from Hell
Now
that I've told you this Who are YOU going to tell?
Dottie Bowler
9-25-01
The Stable
God is my Refuge and Shelter, David said.
His Word is
filling my heart, with His Bread of Life.
His Holy Word is what I have
read.
The Stable is a shelter, a place to keep safe from lifes trials and
storms.
Where God's Love for us, His Only Son was born.
In Church we
sing, and share God's Holy Word.
Where we sing, of the Love, of our Heavenly
Lord.
Listen to the Melody of Love, from God's Throne.
Written By:
Margaret Moore
His Tree
His Tree started as a very, very small seed.
God's Love,
began in us the same way.
A small, small seed, it grew and grew.
Our Love
for God, reaches out to those who never knew.
This Tree grew and became
as tall as can be.
This is the Tree, that Jesus gave His Life on, for you and
me.
The Cross, Salvations Plan, began there at Calvary.
Redemptions Plan
included, yes, included you and me.
To be with Christ our Lord, in His
Magnificent Eternity.
The Old Rugged Tree, will always be there for you
and me.
Jesus Christ, God's Only Son, is waiting for me to see,
He is
right there beside me all the way to His Tree.
Guiding me to do His Will from
now till Eternity.
The Christmas tree all lit up with lights shining so
bright.
Letting the world know that Jesus still shines for all.
Jesus is
The Light of the world, He is shining, shining for me.
On that Old Rugged
Tree, His Light still shines there for me.
His Light is shining from that Old
Rugged, Rugged Tree,
Like a beacon on a lighthouse, He is there Shining for
you and me.
Keeping me safe, to be with Him in Heaven's Glory, His
Eternity.
Written BY: Margaret Moore
Wismen Worshiped The King
Wisemen came from the far lands of the
East.
Seeing the Star, they followed it to Bethlehem.
They came to Worship
Jesus, The New Born King.
Bringing Gifts of, Frankincense, Myrrh, and
Gold.
Guided by the Star, to our Savior and King.
Worshiping Jesus,
God's Only Begotten Son.
They Worshiped Baby Jesus, The King of Kings.
The
Holy Spirit guides us, to our Savior and King.
As they gave Jesus the
Frankincense, they lifted prayers up to Him.
Our prayers are lifted up to
Jesus, too, we Praise His Holy Name.
Jesus became our Offering to God. He
shed His Blood for our sins.
Jesus became an extension of God's Grace to you
and me.
Myrrh is used in the anointing of the High Priest.
Jesus is
The High Priest, and The King of Kings.
Myrrh is also used to embalm people
when they die.
Myrrh represents the death that Jesus would not keep.
Jesus
arose from the grave, He set us free of our sins.
Camels laden with Gold.
They gave it all to God's Baby Son.
Gold is for Purity, and Divinity. Jesus
is The Divine Son of God.
The Wisemen came to Worship Baby Jesus, The King of
Kings.
OH! Hallelujah! What A Savior, A Savior, He is to you and
me.
Written By: Margaret Moore
My Sheep
So many people were lost in the rubble of the World Trade
Towers,
and The Pentagon. The Firefighter's have dug with all of their
power.
To find all of the lost people, that died that dark, dark day.
God
hears. He hears their souls cry.
God said, I am seeking and looking for My
sheep.
They are lost, I will find them, I can hear them weep.
Never, never
will I stop and rest or lay down and sleep,
Till I have found all of My
sheep.
I will take them in My arms of Love so Divine,
And take them with
Me up Above on High.
They were scattered all about in the rubble,
On that
dark, cloudy and horrendous day.
They will be found there, in all of that
rubble,
Under the sun's golden ray's.
Oh! What a Glorious day that will
be.
When My children are here Home with Me,
Your Loving God, and Savior
Jesus Christ.
Written By: Margaret Moore
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