Patti
07-19-2008, 04:48 PM
This is a poem that my cousin Karl wrote when he was stationed in Iraq. He and I were e-mailing each other when he was in combat. I have prayed many heartfelt prayers for him and wanted to share this poem:
It was kinda late, now was my chance to get some rest.
So I lay in my rack, and put my eyelids to the test.
Then all of a sudden, someone beats on my door!
"GET UP', "WE'VE GOT A MISSION", "GRAB YOUR BOOTS", my feet hit the floor.
I could only say to myself, under my breath, "For the love of Pete", "What about some rest."
So I picked up my weapon, then throw on my armor, snatch up my ammo, and run out of the door.
Out onto the airfield, into the night air,
Onto the BLACK HAWK, without even a care.
We land outside a village, our feet hit the ground.
We weave our way through, this mud built town.
A clay brick structure, we encircle to hold.
To apprehend whats inside, I pray they are not as bold.
We guard all the windows, then burst through the door.
No one is to escape, they all hit the floor.
We rifle the rooms, dig thru the trash.
Oh yeah we find it, a weapons cache here was stashed.
We load up the Black Hawk, with weapons of all sorts.
On another we shove prisoners, one still in his shorts.
On another we climb, tired and dirty.
I look at my watch, it's not quite 5:30.
It's been a long mission, it's been a long night.
Boy I'm glad they didn't put up a fight.
So I gaze out the door, looking into the black.
The sun breaks the horizon, were on our way back.
As the warmth hits my face, I lean back and smile.
This feels good...the missions a success, this will last a while.
Then something brushed my face, was it the warmth of the sun?
Then all of the sudden I realize, CHRISTMAS had come.
The mission I forget, as I go into a daze.
I stare out the window, into the sunny haze.
I think about home and happier times.
This mission was like others, but something didn't rhyme.
It went too easy, too calculated, too well.
Someone watches over me, this I can tell.
I've seen alot of bad, some more than most.
But I stand in comfort, as if accompanied by a ghost.
I've trusted in God, where ever I have gone.
And I prayed for his wisdom in what ever I've done.
He has seen me home safely, home more than once.
To him I give thanks, for him I keep in front.
The Black Hawk lands, the tarmac is warm.
I get back to my hooch, looks like it may storm.
It's still early morning, but this is my chance for rest.
So I lay in my rack, and put my eyelids to the test.
Then all of a sudden, someone beats on my door.
Here we go God, here we go once more.
SGT NEWAGO KARL C. CO. 276 ENG BN COMBAT OIF 2004
It was kinda late, now was my chance to get some rest.
So I lay in my rack, and put my eyelids to the test.
Then all of a sudden, someone beats on my door!
"GET UP', "WE'VE GOT A MISSION", "GRAB YOUR BOOTS", my feet hit the floor.
I could only say to myself, under my breath, "For the love of Pete", "What about some rest."
So I picked up my weapon, then throw on my armor, snatch up my ammo, and run out of the door.
Out onto the airfield, into the night air,
Onto the BLACK HAWK, without even a care.
We land outside a village, our feet hit the ground.
We weave our way through, this mud built town.
A clay brick structure, we encircle to hold.
To apprehend whats inside, I pray they are not as bold.
We guard all the windows, then burst through the door.
No one is to escape, they all hit the floor.
We rifle the rooms, dig thru the trash.
Oh yeah we find it, a weapons cache here was stashed.
We load up the Black Hawk, with weapons of all sorts.
On another we shove prisoners, one still in his shorts.
On another we climb, tired and dirty.
I look at my watch, it's not quite 5:30.
It's been a long mission, it's been a long night.
Boy I'm glad they didn't put up a fight.
So I gaze out the door, looking into the black.
The sun breaks the horizon, were on our way back.
As the warmth hits my face, I lean back and smile.
This feels good...the missions a success, this will last a while.
Then something brushed my face, was it the warmth of the sun?
Then all of the sudden I realize, CHRISTMAS had come.
The mission I forget, as I go into a daze.
I stare out the window, into the sunny haze.
I think about home and happier times.
This mission was like others, but something didn't rhyme.
It went too easy, too calculated, too well.
Someone watches over me, this I can tell.
I've seen alot of bad, some more than most.
But I stand in comfort, as if accompanied by a ghost.
I've trusted in God, where ever I have gone.
And I prayed for his wisdom in what ever I've done.
He has seen me home safely, home more than once.
To him I give thanks, for him I keep in front.
The Black Hawk lands, the tarmac is warm.
I get back to my hooch, looks like it may storm.
It's still early morning, but this is my chance for rest.
So I lay in my rack, and put my eyelids to the test.
Then all of a sudden, someone beats on my door.
Here we go God, here we go once more.
SGT NEWAGO KARL C. CO. 276 ENG BN COMBAT OIF 2004