Honor Them
They are California 'kids' and New Englanders, through and through;
They hail from Iowa cornfields and Texas plains-
They are men and women ready to sacrifice
Their lives in the name of liberty-most would, twice!
With a selfless sense of purpose, they serve
So that all who crave freedom, get what they deserve;
This is why they suffer mnay and great pains,
This is why they shall always do what they do!
Honor them-either through remembrance or gratitude-
As they guard us, with a vigilant, selfless attitude;
Freedom is not free, they pay its price-
'Liberty and Justice for all'-anything else does not suffice;
So long as there are men and women willing to protect this,
There need be many others, who recognize and respect this!
-Maurice Harris,4 November 2010
poem by Maurice Harris
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Anonymous Letter Left At The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier, Memorial Day 2010
Upon this day of poignant reflection, we are humbled by your sacrifice;
No measure of recompense doth any possess which may serve to satisfice-
Our very liberty hath been your precious gift-your dutiful life, its price-
Our humble gratitude is all we have, no manner of quittance would suffice!
Our Forefathers advented Liberty, yet your loss saw to its abiding;
Countless men and women still, much like you, cease its subsiding;
Your life of honor and duty, for country-this shall ne'er perish-
In our hearts and minds, upon this day and all others, we cherish
Every solitary liberate moment, which you have given and ensured;
The most selfless sacrifice-your safeguard guaranteed Liberty endured!
'I can not say and I will not say that he is dead - He is just away! ' **
You live still; Your dutiful life inspires men and women to this very day;
The obligation owed to you is immeasurable-words may ne'er convey
Our gratitude for your service and sacrifice-though we endeavor all we may!
**(James Whitcomb Riley, 'He is Only Away')
Maurice Harris,27 May 2010
poem by Maurice Harris
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Obligation Of Remembrance
Champions of freedom, each and every one;
We solemnly remember thee, for all the battles you have won,
With valor, honor, and wholly selfless dedication;
You served served God, and a country in need of your protection,
From those who sought our liberty's end;
Without regard for your own life, you stood to defend
The very precepts that make our country great!
When the call to arms came, you did not hesitate
To stand, and be counted, amongst a very select few;
Freedom is not free-its price was paid by men and women, like you!
On behalf of a grateful nation, with an obligation of remembrance,
Thank you for your sacrifice-I know this fails, as recompense,
Yet, it is all that I now possess, to bestow,
Upon so many brave souls, I had not, the honor, to know!
poem by Maurice Harris
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The Obligation Owed (Veterans' Day 2010)
I beg your thanks, for all that you have done-
For the service you have rendered and all the freedom you have won;
Your selfless dedication to such lofty ideals,
Honors all who reap its benefit, as time itself reveals;
Causal to your sacrifice, nations thrive under guard of liberty;
You are the very proof that a super hero really may be;
You pledge allegiance to the flag, yet its the Constitution you protect and defend-
Until your very last breath, upon your integrity we may depend;
The only proper recompense we may ever offer
Is to never take for granted the obligation owed, your proffer;
You serve, so that others may live under the precepts you protect;
We live each day, empowered by the strength you project:
'Thank you' seems so insufficient-though, it is all I may give-
It is you that would give your life to ensure we may freely live!
-Maurice Harris,10 November 2010
poem by Maurice Harris
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This Hero (An Ode To The American Military Veteran)
The American Military Veteran, a breed of hero, unparalleled in history,
Gave so much to so many-yet, somehow remains to them, a mystery.
What would possess an individual with so many rights guaranteed,
To leave it all behind, and gallantly defend liberty in a foreign land in need! ? !
Why would they risk their lives for the sake of strangers-or, even care! ? !
Perhaps they believe: 'injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' *
Freedom is only ever free so long as there are patriots willing to die to preserve it.
'Hero' is a moniker oft-bandied about, but there are some who truly deserve it.
This hero simply acts, when and where action is needed, in spite of danger.
This hero acts with honor and integrity, for a Brother In Arms, or a stranger,
No matter the risk to him or herself-a selfless dedication that very few possess.
What this hero means to a free world, words could never properly express;
A simply 'thank you for your service' is all that most people can humbly tender,
All the while, never able to gather what drives a person to banish the word 'surrender'
From his/her vocabulary, and speak a language filled with acronyms and foreign jargon.
'Enemies of the Constitution', foreign or domestic, are not ones with which they will bargain-
For THIS, and this alone, is the one precept to which they pledge unwavering allegiance.
We are One Nation Under God, and they believe that He created, in His Omnipotence,
This 'More Perfect Union' so that we may be freedom's foremost defender.
This hero served, so that all may enjoy liberty and justice, in all their splendor,
Not just for today and tomorrow-but, so that our progeny may, for all perpetuity,
Live their lives under the blanket of the freedoms provided by truly selfless acuity.
This hero deserves so much more from us than just our heart-felt appreciation,
He or she earned the right to your utmost respect, with tireless dedication
To principles that most seem to take for granted, except when reminded.
Take the time to truly get to know one of these heroes, if you are still blinded
By an ignorance that may be unintentional, yet very real still the same.
These words are meant to edify and inspire, not surely to assess any sort of blame-
Not only will you surely get to better know a remarkably heroic human being,
But perhaps learn to appreciate more, the very freedom you are now seeing.
*Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter From A Birmingham Jail
-Maurice Harris,7 November 2012
poem by Maurice Harris
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The Few, The Brave
As proof of our remembrance, we lay a flag by each and every grave;
With perpetual solemnity, we ensure that it shall always wave
Under the free skies of the land that they and our forebears created:
For God, Duty and Country-they never hesitated
To serve with Honor and Valor for a higher purpose;
All gave some, and some gave all-all, in service
To a most grateful nation, which must always remember,
Whether on a Summer morn in May, or a blustery one in September:
If not for their bravery, indeed, their sacrifice, we'd not be free!
Surely, if I did not take time to pause, I'd not be me-
Because I stand under free skies, and make my very own choices
All because, even from hallowed graves, they provide us voices
In all we do, see, hear, touch, and feel.
No one may blind or mute us, and steal
This freedom away-we will fight as fiercely as they
Should any try-and would rather die than give it away.
This is how we need honor them, each and every day:
To live as they would have, in each and every way.
They did not die in vain, they perished as noble defenders
Of Liberty at all costs, in a world of raucous pretenders.
Their Valor was as uncommon as they were brave;
Due this Gallantry, Freedom and Democracy were saved
From the depths of tyranny, and totalitarian subjugation-
Not the cornerstones upon which to build a nation!
We, the 'many', need always appreciate 'the few, the brave':
Their sacrifice ensures that the flag shall always wave!
-Maurice Harris,29 May 2012
poem by Maurice Harris
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Freedom Years
As the day draws near to my Freedom's reprise,
Oft-lost am I in thought, as I surmise
The wonder of the great and boundless skies,
Under which the majestic American Bald Eagle flies!
This is soon to be the scene of my soul's rebirth-
The whole of this great, magnificent Earth,
Where no longer will my liberty be restrained;
My mirth may no longer be contained-
It is as free and boundless as I am soon to be,
With as much unfettered Freedom as I am soon to see!
Naught may contain my jollity, as days draw down-
I am, as the majestic Eagle-I may not be bound,
By anything any longer, as my Freedom nears, -
Soon, very soon, I begin again, a celebration of my Freedom years!
Maurice Harris,7 September 2011
poem by Maurice Harris
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Freedom
Bird in a cage
Set free
Soaring in the sky…
Freedom
All cherish
Reaching a new high
Statue of Liberty's
Raised torch of hope
Liberty Bell
Sending chimes
From years gone by
Iconic symbols
Of freedom and peace
Truthful path of ahimsa
Mahatma Gandhi laid
Relentless effort and passion
Nelson Mandela made
Nations greet each
Stalwart of freedom
We all seem to devalue
What we have in hand…
Freedom's duty
And responsibility
Freedom's precious
Let's not forget
Protect thy freedom
Also protect others'…
poem by Tirupathi Chandrupatla
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Red, White And Blue
Red, White and Blue-these hues shall ne'er fleet,
Nor shall they who fiercely defend it, e'er retreat;
They champion Freedom, at any and all cost,
But for this precept, all hope would be lost!
Our Supreme Law, they swear to support and defend,
Against all, whether here or afar-upon this, we all depend;
Serve do they, with Honor, exhibiting Loyalty and Respect-
A lesson for all, ideas are these, which all should expect!
In any one generation,1 of 100 is their humble divide,
Yet, it is they who are the source of our extraordinary pride!
Honor them, with your heartfelt gratitude, whence ever
Acquaintance is made, in return, your defense, ever!
Consider them not upon celebration but for only a day,
Keep them always in your thoughts, allow not its sway!
Maurice Harris,20 October 2009
poem by Maurice Harris
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On the Innate Drive For What is Right
As life bled, martyrdom flared its buds.
Repression, red from irritation,
Rendered chinks and cracks; but thuds of
Armament - in cowardice - accomplice of the
Dictatorial blight thro' countless years -
Wreaked its retribution:
Yet hope began to bloom a coloured carapace
Enshrining their allegiance ‘gainst the
Terror in their tears.
And on! Splits yawned - breaches in the junta:
Flesh fought fanatical minds -
Bullets welcomed into open hands
And blessed with yearnings for morality:
Chiselled man-toys of death and mutilation
Couldn't repel the might of freedom
Surging at the bright horizon.
Crepuscular rays of purpose, body,
Flooded pandemonium with
Overwhelming clarity, direction -
Burdened clouds drifting wayward as the
Light channelled out a vision,
Intensifying focus on tomorrow -
Deepen their stride
As they home in to
What is theirs,
Rightfully theirs!
Copyright © Mark R Slaughter 2011
The reign of justice and freedom
justice justice justice justice justice justice justice justice
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justice justice justice justice justice justice justice justice
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freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom
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freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom
freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom
justice justice justice justice justice justice justice justice
justice justice justice justice justice justice justice justice
freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom
poem by Mark R Slaughter
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Ne'er Again, Ne'er Again
Today, yet another impediment to my liberty
Has fallen-I wonder what this means for me? !
Could my freedom be near at hand, at long last?
May soon, the day come, when I may look past
All that has happened, and finally start anew?
First though, I must pick up the pieces, to rebuild my heart anew!
Mine faithful patience has outlasted it all-
Now only, may I move from under this iniquitous pall.
Once freedom is again mine, I shan't take same, for granted-
Nor shall I ever forget all that this freedom supplanted;
I've so much I want to do, so much I wish to see-
Yet, I only have one thing that I wish to be-
A Father- to the two most Angelic little ladies there have e'er been;
For far too long we have lost, -ne'er again, ne'er again!
-Maurice Harris,8 April 2011
poem by Maurice Harris
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History has taught us over and over again that freedom is not free. When push comes to shove, the ultimate protectors of freedom and liberty are the brave men and women in our armed forces. Throughout our history, they've answered the call in bravery and sacrifice.
quote by Timothy Pawlenty
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Sacrifice They Made
While you are in the midst of revelry,
Take pause, to pay tribute to the bravery
And honor possessed, by those, for whom this day is set aside;
Do this not out of coerced obligation, but out of pride,
In the knowledge that it is the sacrifice they made
That allows you to lay the plans you have laid-
For cookouts, pool parties, and gatherings with friends;
It is people like them today, whose courage defends
The liberties we have, which most take for granted.
Men and women of honor, who ensure we still reap the freedom He planted-
His gift for His children, where allegiance is assumed,
Where defense of same ensures its presence is never presumed.
I implore you, each and all, remember always the sacrifice they made,
So that we may live a life of freedom, ever-obliged, yet unafraid!
poem by Maurice Harris
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There Is Something In The Soul That Cries Out For Freedom'
'There is something in the soul that cries out for freedom';
There is something in the heart that bleeds for another;
There is something in the mind that wants for equity;
This travesty's exodus from each is needed, for long-sought finality-
To banish forevermore, this all-too-pervasive bother;
But one answer presents more than ever-I need Him!
Should my penance of today hasten this liberty,
I would want for naught else, but that given me;
Alas, freedom purloined by another's whimsy
Is not freedom at all, but fallacious and flimsy;
If need be, I shall bide still, and wait
For time and distance to further abate
What is now overwhelmingly, painfully real;
This is all I may do, until I finally begin to heal!
*Martin Luther King, Jr.
-Maurice Harris,14 Febraury 2011
poem by Maurice Harris
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Rican Soldier & Unyielding Honor = 2012
AMERICAN SOLDIER
It's not a priest that gives us our freedom of religion
And it's not a reporter that gives us our freedom of voice.
It's not any judge, lawyer, politician, or teacher
But the blood of a soldier that has sacrificed by choice.
Our soldiers line up to be remembered
As the best of the best at their job.
They wish to be needed and depended on
To save all we love from the mob.
They risk their life and limb for liberty
Standing firm against evil unwilling to break.
To be part of something greater than themselves
They are willing to sacrifice whatever it will take.
UNYIELDING HONOR
Weakness invites moral plight, war and aggression
Encouraged by mistrust, misjudgment and delay.
All we love can be destroyed and transformed
By the powers of darkness maneuvering our way.
When something wicked stares us in the face
To corrupt our morals, faith and resolve.
God gives us courage to defend what's right
No matter the sacrifice or danger involved.
Evil seeks to destroy the good in man
And silence the memory of God's law.
It's up to the faithful to stay unyielding
Defending the liberty and justice of all.
Our men and woman who serve in harm's way
Are the armor of what the free world depends on.
Without their sacrifice of body and soul
All that we stand for is gone.
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Born on the 4th of July.
Liberty is their destination.
Born on
The fourth of July 1776.
Liberty is taken
For the pursuit of happiness's, freedom
And declared, constitution.
Those who have chosen liberty
Have freedom, freedom to choose
Never oppression
© Calac
poem by Chris Lane
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The Birth Of A Nation
It started as nothing more than an inspired idea
In the hearts and minds of visionaries, who could not be more clear:
All of human kind demands freedom and craves liberty!
As Emerson once opined: 'So far as a person thinks; they are free'.
Divinely Inspired Prophets, who saw to God's Will-
These were men of highest altruistic aspirations, for a people that still
Needed to be convinced that this ideal could become
The 'One Nation, Under God' we would become.
A very poetic, yet decidedly luculent declaration
Was thoughtfully written-thus began the birth of a nation!
The question of collective desire needed first to be resolved,
So that any and all persons could be wholly absolved
From any blame for this audacious, unprecedented event.
The call was sounded to the States, unanimous was their consent!
In order that this idea meet with desired actualization,
Much blood was spilled, along with the realization
That this righteous battle shan't ever wane,
Lest the tyranny that preceeded it shall come again.
Countless times through history, man has cried out for same-
But not until that glorious day in July, in God's very own name,
Was a truly free nation before born-on our Independence Day!
Should we ever allow its wither, what would our descendants say! ?
'Freedom is the last, best hope of Earth.', said the Great Emancipator-
Should we allow its death, what did our Forefathers then pay for! ?
The value of same, which in the hearts of the courageous, shows:
There is no greater cause, as 'Freedom is the only law which genius knows.'*
Our celebratory stance upon this day should serve as further notice-
The resolve that we have shown before still lives, if need be, we will show this
In defense of liberty, wherever in the world it may be needed.
A cry for liberty in far corners of the world is surely heeded
Still, by a nation which believes that any threat
To freedom-no matter where-must be swiftly met!
Our independence was a gift that we need to pay forward,
As this is the only wish that all men should pray toward.
'Courage leads to Heaven; fear leads to death.', **
This obviates my choice, and will, to my dying breath!
*James Russell Lowell
**Lucius Annaeus Seneca
-Maurice Harris,3 July 2012
poem by Maurice Harris
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Freedom To Serve
Become God’s servant to be free, when you go through Calvary,
The only place on earth indeed, when as a servant you are freed;
Freed through the Blood of Christ, from the bondage of this life,
A Freedom only known to man, through God’s Redemptive Plan.
God bought us out of slavery, with precious Blood from Calvary,
Purchased from the market of sin; granting freedom deep within,
Freedom by us that wasn’t sought, which the Lord for us bought,
Offering His Son, our Lord Jesus, as payment made for all of us.
When we’re freed, we’re then sent, by our Lord, as God’s servant,
Here in service to the Son of God, on this earth that we now trod,
No longer slaves in bondage to sin, we delight in service for Him,
Now as we serve the King of kings, our new freedom in Him rings.
We’re now free to serve our Lord, as Christ’s Body, in one accord,
Now serving with the mind of Christ, for God gave us all New Life,
Eternal Life, which we don’t deserve, which is why we gladly serve,
By God’s Grace, with freedom, as God’s servants in His Kingdom.
All because God paid that price, when His Son became a sacrifice,
Christ, Who had no reason to die, served as a Lamb, for you and I,
To grant us real freedom my friend, that from The Lord has no end,
As we come to The Lord Jesus, to serve eternally in God’s Service.
(Copyright ©08/2010)
Freedom
What does freedom really mean?
My mother letting me make decisions,
That is freedom.
The ability to make my own passion,
That is freedom.
Smiling when I want to not someone else does,
That is freedom.
My own love for my family,
That is freedom.
Being able to have a great time without being pressured,
That is freedom.
Having a destiny that is up to me,
That is freedom.
Being able to sit in tranquility by myself,
That is freedom.
Standing for my country with liberty on my own will,
That is what freedom really is.
poem by Bethany Maxwell
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Liberty's Cradle
Dismissed, without so much as a reason-
Thank you, for your lack of concern-and no
My heart's lament is surely not easin'!
You do not belong here-pick up your gavel and go!
How dare you-you, Justice's arbitor? !
The world wants for far more than this;
You are not more than iniquity's harbinger-
The world deserves far more than this!
You too have a judge, and He does see
All that you do-and all those you fail!
Why did you choose to fail me,
I implored thee, for my justice's avail! ?
I reside here, as you, in Liberty's Cradle-
For Her sake, I shall do all I am able!
Maurice Harris,3 March 2010
poem by Maurice Harris
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Women see they aren’t free
Women fail to assert the freedom in sex
That the pioneers have won for them.
Though they are certainly aware
That it is only their choice
That keeps this freedom from them,
They are still afraid of using it.
Most likely their daughters too follow suit
As these women would not advocate to them
The freedom they feared to employ for themselves
And the freedom their mothers were deprived of.
Women take care of each other that they aren’t free.
08.01.2006
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
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