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Wednesday, November 11, 2015

DMC: "War-Torn" by M. H. Barnes




WAR-TORN

 Taste of grit, sweat, survival.
Smell of smoke, blood, and fear.
In a pocket of silence
you stayed by my side
on a bad day gone horribly wrong.

 © 2015 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. All rights reserved.


This poem was inspired by former Army Captain William Swenson:



With thanks to those who have served and sacrificed with honor.
           -MHB


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Rebecca M. Davis has challenged us to write poems about acts of kindness this month– the more specific and vivid the better.  Click HERE for more details.

Send your poem to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, November 27th, and one lucky participant will win copies of two delightful picture books published by Boyds Mills Press: THIS ORQ. (HE CAVE BOY.) and THIS ORQ. (HE SAY "UGH!") by David Elliott, illustrated by Lori Nichols.





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17 comments:

  1. Teresa RobesonNovember 11, 2015 at 8:35 AM

    A lovely, sad, and poignant poem for the occasion, Michelle. 💜

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    1. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesNovember 11, 2015 at 8:41 AM

      Thank you, Teresa (and for the heart that came out as questionmarks too). I certainly got teary conducting my research.

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    2. Jessica BigiNovember 11, 2015 at 1:07 PM

      wonderful and so sad

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    3. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesNovember 11, 2015 at 8:42 PM

      Thank you, Jessica.

      Delete
  2. jan godown anninoNovember 11, 2015 at 2:38 PM

    Through tears, it's bittersweet to meet Capt. William Swenson.

    Appreciations on all days, to good soldiers.

    And to you, Michelle, for "War-Torn."

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    Replies
    1. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesNovember 11, 2015 at 8:46 PM

      For this Medal of Honor recipient, the day was never about honor, it was about loss; nor was his role about leadership, it was about service. Appreciations for your comment, Jan.

      Delete
  3. Robyn CampbellNovember 11, 2015 at 4:42 PM

    Teary eyed here. This was so vivid and reminded me of my uncle who was a POW. Thanks for writing it.

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    1. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesNovember 11, 2015 at 8:40 PM

      Oh wow, Robyn. And my mother-in-law was a Holocaust survivor... it's astounding what people can endure. <3

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  4. Diane MayrNovember 11, 2015 at 7:46 PM

    Thank you for posting this today, Michelle.

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  5. Penny Parker KlostermannNovember 11, 2015 at 8:09 PM

    Beautiful and moving, Michelle.

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  6. RosiNovember 11, 2015 at 8:19 PM

    Wow. What a perfect poem for today. Very nice.

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  7. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesNovember 11, 2015 at 8:48 PM

    Thanks so much Diane, Penny, and Rosi.

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  8. Linda BNovember 11, 2015 at 10:50 PM

    Just being there by someone is everything, isn't it? Beautifully shown, Michelle. Thank you for this on this special day.

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  9. Renee LaTulippeNovember 12, 2015 at 8:35 AM

    That's a beautiful tribute, Michelle. Thank you.

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  10. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesNovember 12, 2015 at 10:47 PM

    I appreciate the kind words, Linda and Renée.

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  11. JanieNovember 13, 2015 at 12:23 AM

    What a beautiful tribute to the kindness of brotherhood. Thanks for sharing Michelle.. Now I must go and cry ..

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    Replies
    1. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesNovember 14, 2015 at 3:14 PM

      I hope it's the good kind of cry, Janie. Thanks for your thoughtful words.

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