Sgt. Michael D. Acklin II

a death a day

"In the first 27 days of June, 27 soldiers and
marines were killed [in Anbar Province] . . .
New York Times, June 29, 2006

unlit helicopter lifts another
by night

hard to find someone to unzip
black bag

see peace pooled on last
expression

letter to broken home maybe
ex-wife

while real family left saluting in
spin of sand

j.b. rowell

Pfc. Devon J. Gibbons

June 23, 2006
Port Orchard, Washington

I did not know you, at 19 young enough
to graduate the year before my granddaughter,
the year after my grandson. Old enough
to teach seminary, but still a kid in many ways.

Remember rooting for the Wolves,
fireworks over Sinclair Inlet on the 4th.
Remember digging clams at Manchester,
bike rides along Beach Drive.

Our summer begins with August heat,
mornings perfect for long walks, reflection.
On every street, flags fly proud
to salute our Nation’s birth.

The Olympics stand blueberry
in God’s full glory,
Rainier rises tall
saluting

Hero,
I did not know you.

Gary Blankenship

Sgt. 1st Class Ramon A. Acevedoaponte

Jerry Dreesen

Pfc. Steven Acosta

My friend

when you left,
you were a child -
starlight in those eyes,
gateway to heaven
in that smile.
we never met,
but perhaps one day
you'll meet those
of us who waited
your return.
and yours, and yours -
all Heroes.
then we'll have
a ticker-tape
parade to thank you,
to welcome all you
Men and Women
home.

Penny August

Cmdr. Joseph Acevedo

The summer sky at night
is endless,
black and full of stars.

I sit on the deck
alone, dreaming new
constellations.

Finger to the darkness
connecting the dots
over and over
until I see your face-

and I always do
see your face.

-Michelle M. Buchanan

To Our Fallen Canadian Soldiers

things we won’t do now

the horse chestnuts bloom
across the road
white flowered steeples
bringing dreams of autumn
then i remembered
you won’t be here
to make conkers.

Patricia Cresswell

Pfc. Brett L. Tribble

The colors in Texas are different.
Bluebonnets pale and the Indian paint

brush refuses to bloom. Since
you went to war clouds do not remind us

of elephants and clowns. Laughter's
sound is a faded song trapped in a tin can.

Occasions are not special. There will never
be a more beautiful smile. I will think of you

when parents show pride at a wedding,
graduation, birth. When flags, or wins

bring people to their feet, or I feel pride
in a child’s accomplishment, a boy’s beauty—
I will think of your parents.

KL Monahan

Spec. Brandon L. Teeters

Nights when the winds rise
in the dark moaning oak trees,
we know that it's you.
Home again. Whispering
how much you love us.
Lilies rise outside your
old bedroom window
to greet you.
Neighborhood dogs bark,
rush out, ears cocked
sensing what we cannot yet see.
You walk in the light now,
memories of bombings, shellings
and lost friends behind you.
You are a boy again, a teenager,
a young man. Your family's joy.
A rainbow forms over your home.

Pris Campbell

Cpl. Roberto Abad

The Sky Tonight

Greyish-purple,
bloated arms streak
wild and warm
waiting to exhale.

The oaks and maples
line up, turned leaves
to their soft under
sides.

Like a thousand frog
bellies breathing in
the wind.

It will rain
all night.

Tomorrow the ground
will diamond in a wet,
slick clean.

The sky will open
to you again,

tomorrow.

Michelle M. Buchanan June 28, 2006

GUIDELINES

Please do not dedicate your poem to a specific
person. All poems will be donated to a soldier
randomly.

Write knowing that someday a family member
of a lost soldier could read your poem - be
considerate of that in your content. In other
words, imagine it IS a friend or relative
you're writing for.

This is not the place to protest. It is also not
the place to advertise.

Send your poem (s) to MMB555@aol.com
Subject heading: Operation Poem. You
may write as many poems as you would
like. Please keep line limit below 30-40 lines.
Send your poem exactly as you would like
it to appear on the site (name beneath poem
if you want your name included).