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the Book
  Poetic Voices of America - Fall 1994

"...our collection of poems represents a wide variety of thoughts, themes, and genres. And again our collection includes the voices of poets from across the continent, and even  beyond from other countries.  ..."

"What are these voices saying as they provide this written record?  The are providing a personal journal of feelings - disappointments and joys, sorrows and pleasures, fears and triumphs...."

"Who are these voices?  They are persons  literally from all walks of life who have common need to express themselves poetically..."

Appears in the Introduction to the published collection titled: Poetic Voices of America - Fall 1994.




the Poet

ANDREW ANDERSON resides in Hilton Head Island, SC.  He is currently an eighth grader at McCraken Middle School and he studies the Civil War and music on his own.  His other interests include playing the viola, drawing, and rollerblading.   He was in the Beaufort Co. Youth Orchestra until he disbanded.  He was recently recruited in the 48th New York Volunteer Regiment (re-enactors). His comments:  "The theme for my poem was the Civil War.  There was no enemy; both sides fought for their beliefs.  The soldiers' bravery and dedication to their respective causes was the inspiration....."

As appears on the "About the Author" page of Poetic Voices of America - Fall 1994



the Poem


THE PROMISE

They came forward,

marching down the avenue.
All of their colors and banners were flying high.
They all marched for the same reason,
and with a touch of fate in their eyes.
They walked in step across the brightly colored field.
Shoulder to shoulder,

man touching man,
brother touching brother.
Thousands marched for their country

and what they believed...
...what they believed was right.
In their eyes, you could read their stories.
Their deeply sunken faces were filled with pride.
They moved on with parade-like precision.
They moved on with their flags and banners aloft.
They moved on past the dead and wounded
as if promising them certain victory.

Dedicated to the memory of those brave soldiers,
blue and gray, who gave all they had for their
beliefs.

Andrew Anderson
Age 13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

THIS ONE IS FOR THE GENTLE BOY.

~ by:  Mary Wilkins ~

WHO WRESTLES WITH HIS PAIN.

HIS EASY BRUISING TENDER HEART,

AND EVER ACTIVE BRAIN.

HE FEELS MUCH MORE THAN OTHERS DO,

BUT THEN HE TRIES TO HIDE

WITH LAUGHTER AND BRAVADO,

THE GENTLE BOY INSIDE.

WITH WIT AND STYLE AND

ARTIFICE HIS SECRETS KEPT SO WELL.

WHO DREAMS THE BRAVE FACADE

YOU SEE CONCEALS SOME PRIVATE HELL?

MEANWHILE, THE BRUTES LIVE ON AND ON,

THEIR UNEXAMINED LIVES.

THE LOW, THE STUPID AND THE CRUEL,

THE SLUGGISH DOLT THRIVES,

TO FILL THE WORLD WITH EMPTY TALK

AND GREED AND HATE AND NOISE TO BREED,

CAROUSE, AND MAKE LIFE HELL

FOR ALL THE GENTLE BOYS.

SOME GENTLE BOYS GROW HEARTSICK,

AND TIRED OF THIS CHARADE.

THEY BLOW THEMSELVES RIGHT OFF THE EARTH,

OR FIGHT, THEN FAIL, THEN FADE.

IF YOU SHOULD LOVE A GENTLE BOY

THERE'S LITTLE YOU CAN DO.

IF HE DECIDES HIS TIME HAS COME,

HE'LL LEAVE THE EARTH AND YOU

HE CANNOT SEE THAT IF HE GOES,

YOU'LL NEVER FILL THAT SPACE.

YOU'LL SPEND YOUR WHOLE LIFE

SEARCHING FOR THAT LAUGH, THAT KISS, THAT FACE.

HOW CAN THE GENTLE BOY NOT KNOW?

YOU LOVED HIM BEYOND DEATH,

YOU'D HELP HIM ANYWAY YOU COULD,

UNTO TO DYING BREATH.

SOMEDAY WHEN JUSTICE REIGNS ON EARTH,

WE ALL MAY GREET WITH JOY A WORLD WHERE

IT WON'T HURT SO MUCH TO BE........

A GENTLE BOY

~ Mary Wilkins

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/andyschild/