A Soldier's Plea Poem by David Tallman

We are all glue, holding these letters together
U and S and A.
We all play are part, however we choose
to serve in our own way

You sneer at images from the TV
just let it freaking be!
Don’t spit out your hate on me
sliding down my face to M-16
or scoff as I serve community

I am United States Marine.

You read, debate, discuss, as well you should
BUT I have done what I could
to serve a higher good.
So do not judge me for what I do
for all this I do for you
and I will not pass my own too
for you depend on me and I on you.

I do not choose the wars we fight
and I do not do this out of spite
so who is to say what’s wrong or right?
Certainly not you.

This country needs those whose thoughts
can help to stop those wars for not
BUT it needs those who have willingly fought
to stop evil from seeping through

The fabric of Red, White, and Blue

For stars and stripes can only fly
when you have young men willing to die
So don’t look down on us from high
With a condescending hue

So accept my brothers who’ve done their part
who have helped their nation from the start
who lay their body on an alter
who help this nation to not falter…

And we will pay the same to you

For we are all Red, White, and Blue