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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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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Thanksgiving
I found myself woefully walking down a sad and lonely road-
I asked: 'Why must I be forlorn and have I been foresaken? '
An answer would reveal itself, though I questioned the time it had taken,
God said then: 'I brought you great angst to allow for that which I have now bestowed! '
'You ne'er have, nor shall you walk alone, for I always shall guide your way! '
'I proffer to you now my most trusted Angel, She shall walk always beside you-
She shall, as my entrusted: protect, love and guide you! '
From that time, and for myriad still to come, beside me she has stayed!
Though no measure of recompense shall surely ever suffice,
Still, I offer her that which I have never, all I have to give-
My heart and soul, all my love- as long as I may live:
Blessed have I been to have this, not once, but twice!
Thankful am I beyond all measure of words for this and all it brings:
Obligation owed, to You, the benevolent and gracious, King of Kings!
Maurice Harris,24 November 2008
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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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 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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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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The Oath of the Protector
They-the loyal, proud, courageous and strong!
Too multitudinous to count, their pedigree of honor, long!
Vow, do they, to protect and ever to defend!
Alas, ne'er to cease, lo, though time doth end!
Many befallen as champions of freedom, not of men!
Into conflict they bravely go, perhaps not to return again!
Allegiance they swear, not to man, nor mandate-
Loyalty and commitment is proffered, so as to obviate:
The Oath of the Protector, to but only our Constitution,
This precept hath proven fundamental to our evolution!
Lives, they offer to country, with service and loyalty-
So shall they still, through all time, perpetually!
Service, excellence, fidelity and truth-do define further still;
All are humbled, and obliged to thee, with promises you do fulfill!
Maurice Harris,2 April 2009
poem by Maurice Harris
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Pledge Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to this land
Where heroes protect every woman and man
The flag that represents freedom and choice
The flag that gives us all a free voice
And on September 11th, when our nation was attacked
We all came together and we fought back
In the midst of terror, many heroes died
They fought to save others and in the end sacrificed their lives
They didn't think twice as they ran toward the fallen cries
All they could think about was to save those victims' lives
Though they have fallen we can still hear freedom ringing in their voice
From the battlefields to the white house we all had to learn to survive
The tragedies on September 11th left a whole nation to mourn and cry
Now we live on to protect our flag's integrity
From the people who just don't seem to see what our nation sees
Though they attack us, never will we fall
I give a salute to the firefighters and soldiers lost on that day
Together we mourn for the victims who had to lose their lives that way
But in their deaths, our nation finally saw
That no matter how much they try, together we cannot fall
So, I pledge allegiance to this land
Where heroes protect every woman and man
poem by Tamara Moir
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All Ever I Could Proffer
All ever I could proffer,
Given freely to thee, in kind:
Would but only for me, serve to remind
Of the depth of love you do offer!
Unparalleled emotions, begotten from your tender touch,
Your beautiful smile, serves further to beguile-
Knowest do I still, all the while
That, to you, I owe so very much!
Once in a lifetime, for the very few,
Still never for all those without its fortune-
Mustn't we tempt fate, not to hasten it too soon,
All of this and still so much more, I owe to you!
My heart and soul, your's now for the taking-
A barter to recompense for all in me, you are awakening!
Maurice Harris,2 November 2008
poem by Maurice Harris
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I Am But An Open Book
You now believe in the world I can offer;
Now more amenable to my heart's proffer-
An evolution for which-long, I did yearn;
The assurance you offer, I'll continue to earn!
Soon, you shall witness with perpetuity,
Your faith's reward-indeed, its acuity;
My mind is at ease, obligation owed to thee-
Your wants and desires, no longer a mystery!
We take pause now, learning more about each;
I am but an open book-read me, I do beseech!
What was once plainly uninspiring, even ordinary,
Shall be made most ennobling, even extraordinary;
Gaze in wide wonder, as our glorious confluence
Reveals what may be, with love in abundance!
Maurice Harris,23 March 2010
poem by Maurice Harris
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Truly America's Best
I humbly thank you, for your service and sacrifice,
Yet am keenly aware that this alone, serves not, to satisfice-
I need be grateful, both in spirit and appearance
If I am but to be worthy of your accomplishments;
You are freedom's very guardian, a most solemn duty:
You 'protect and defend' the Constitution, in its most profound beauty-
You answer to no man, monad, nor mandate;
Your's is a position I not only eny, but appreciate:
A member of the world's most elite fighting force,
An ambassador of liberty-our strength, with you, its source;
Whether you are a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine,
You demonstrate what the words 'service before self' really mean;
The free world, from North and South, to East and West,
Is forever endebted to you, you are truly America's best!
poem by Maurice Harris
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This Glory, Now Returned
Obligation owed the fates: once again and, I pray-forever more,
I consort with this sublime beauty I do so very much adore!
I know not proper quittance for this glory, now returned;
My life now so affirmatively altered, more than I could have discerned!
Naught is there, in the form of sacrifice, too much
Which should see me nearer to her loving touch;
I am a humbled appreciant of her amazing grace,
I now live a blessed life as such, which naught could replace!
Though, one day, even this beatitude shall find supplant-
To this resplendency and all it engenders, I remain allegiant!
The life-long, all-consuming search hath reached its destination;
I invite the world, entire, to join with me in my heart's celebration-
See as I do, the beauty to whose felicity, I shall devote my life;
Once assured that we are prime for such, I shall ask she be my wife!
Maurice Harris,21 May 2010
poem by Maurice Harris
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Alankar (Decor) - 13
Freedom is ours to let live, live
Liberty is mine to live or not
So I decide to breathe or not
But He above rules His my life
So is He with my life's strife
Only my sense to sense His knot
And my mind warns, my heart feels
My vision alerts to care my wheels
To choose the good to gain good
To avoid the bad not to brood
An eye third in me that reveals
Freedom so not to act and hurt
Nor spit on oneself to get hurt
Nor even to hurt any to fight
Nor high to die to say right
But to soar leveled joy to spurt
Freedom so to share joy and live
To serve, be served, such to thrive
Freedom not to be a selfish waste
So to be feckless a heedless taste
Freedom is ours to let live, live
poem by Indira Renganathan
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She Is My Heavenly Proffer
Perhaps once in thine own life, if truly fortuitous,
Ye shall gain privity to a beauty, as I, whose glorious
Resplendence shines-as a beacon, through all my hours-
A beauty so rarified it doth astound and overpowers
The senses at times! Though she doth dwell many a mile
From whence I am, still, I am greeted at all times-by her smile!
Should my life's flame be doused, right here and now,
I shan't have cause to aspire further-as this I avow:
I have glimpsed Heaven-in her eyes, it doth reside-
Not to speak slight of the Empyrean Kingdom, nor deride;
I have seen her truth, and simply must, to it, attest;
She is cause for me to know, I am most and truly blessed!
No matter of love or affection shall serve to suffice-no, not nearly;
Nothing shall ever be proper grace for the one I love most dearly!
My life until now hath been wanton of a love worthy of what I have to offer-
No longer need I search for same, obligation owed to God's greatest proffer!
Our consort was a divine providence, of this, you may be assured;
My soul hath now its compeer; My heart's everlasting guard, secured!
I must see this glory e'er closer still-to this end, I shall do what I must;
All my hopes and dreams-all the faith I have in my heart-to her, I do entrust!
'Lord, as Thou hast given unto me, this magnificent, glorious covenant,
I shall endeavor dutifully to pay it proper honor, as I remain allegiant! '
My amorous wonderment knows not bound, whence she is concerned-
For she doth embody all that for which my life, entire, I have yearned!
As this singularly magnificent night gives way to the dawn of a new day,
There is but one truth I know and shall endeavor evermore, to convey:
She is my Heavenly proffer, given unto me as proof of His divine inspiration-
She-the solitary source of my mind, heart and soul's panoply of elation!
Maurice Harris,24 May 2010
poem by Maurice Harris
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Your Heart-Felt Apology
I may not help that you and I share a last name-
Still, that I have loathed you is a source of much shame;
Our tenuous connection makes me no more to blame
Than any other, yet, I feel so, still the same.
My self-imposed guilt, though without ration or reason,
Has served as my own fragile heart's treason.
From beyond the grave, you have thieved-
For what you stole, many nights I have grieved-
And grieve still I shall, for as long as I may live;
Whence I am able, I shall offer all I may give,
So as to recompense for what you have done-
Your deeds I shan't forget, but my forgiveness you have won.
You are my Father, I am your Son-
I will be your heart-felt apology, as you offered none!
-Maurice Harris,27 December 2010
poem by Maurice Harris
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Hero's Live On Forever
There comes a time.
When you think all hope is gone.
Steps up a stranger,
And leads you through the dark.
It seems like a miracle
That’s just happened to you.
There is a Hero born
Hero’s live on forever.
They give you hope,
They give you life,
A will to survive,
The odds that come your way.
God’s soul’s earth
They are the shining stars
A hope In Hell
They triumph over, the ordeal they face
To their very last breath
Cause they have no fear at all
Hero’s live on forever.
They give you hope,
They give life,
A will to survive,
The odds that come your way.
Life is a sacrifice
For the sake of humanity
And for you and me
To live forever
In peace and tranquility
Hero’s live on forever.
They give you hope,
They give life,
A will to survive,
The odds that come your way.
© 2009 Remy Cruz
14 August 2009
Today, I celebrate with all, the day of your birth-
Causal art thou to this, my magnificent mirth:
Gifted to me was this, without but a choice-
This beauty-this day! I do now rejoice!
Once a wondrous vision, now again so very real-
Once coffered, not able now am I to conceal!
Celebratory for you, yet apart by many a mile,
My thoughts reside with you though, all the while!
Obliged am I for the gift you proffer to me,
In recompense, my amity I offer to thee!
May your day be full of happiness and glee,
And remind you of that which you extend to me!
May many days as this bless you further still,
May too, all of your life's dreams fulfill!
Maurice Harris,14 August 2009
poem by Maurice Harris
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With Constancy, All The While
I lie awake at night, alone, yet not lonely:
Though many miles betwixt us there are,
Naught is there to keep us apart-only
Must I close mine eyes, and you are ne'er far!
Take comfort my beloved, allegiance defines thought of thee!
Nary shall there be departure from such drawn:
This, the narrative of my heart, a tale that shall always be-
Such is at day's end, such is as day does again dawn!
Nihility marries that which draws compare,
I am fortuitous beyond measure, all owed to you!
Incomparable, the life we do share-
But a pittance, I proffer this ode to you!
You are, for me, paramour-sans pareil,
So it is, ever shall it be, with constancy-all the while!
Maurice Harris,14 November 2008
poem by Maurice Harris
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You Amaze Me
here you come again
drunk always and always drunk as ever
vomiting your life away in every minute
you let yourself wasted on the floor
and on the sink where all dirt take
their proper place
when you wake up i feel sleepy
all the pity i have for you
taking seriously what the university never taught you
failure from being true to the words
of the jesuits
honesty is the best policy
be honest when others are not
college was your idealism
accolades and honors you reap
and then you were thrown to the world
where the dog eats another dog
where your poetry does not serve any purpose at all
then the tall building where you live collapsed
you are inside it
you have no lies, you do not live in lies to cover you
at least to protect you for the meantime
that the world is not yet changed
you are helpless like the rat caught in a trap
the cheese is even small as a crap
and you cannot take it
this deception this illusion of what is good
and what is bad of what is true and what are lies
what to do in the midst of this interplay
between darkness and light
you have not fully learned
the gray area where i live
this in-between where most of us thrive
you amaze me with your death
there are no flowers and there will be no eulogy fit for you
the idealist, top of the class
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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