he rises with purpose
at the start of each new day
he fights with determination
letting nothing stand in his way
freedom, honor, liberty
and everything that's right
these are what make worthwhile
his every struggle and fight
he has values, morals, convictions
and he'll stand up for them til the end
he puts his life on the line
for country, family, stranger, and friend
the uniform that he wears
many people respect
but it doesn't make the man
he makes it instead
though he puts it on each day
and wears it with pride
his love for his country
he will never hide
he may be someone's husband
father, son, or brother
yet he risks his life to fight
to bring freedom to another
when the uniform is off
the same man is still there
he takes care of and protects his family
and stands up for what's right anywhere
each time he goes off to fight
he leaves behind those who care
and in all of their heartache
each of us should share
because he's not doing it just for them
he's doing it for us, one and all
and we should all feel the grief
if he should happen to fall
so no matter how you feel
about politics or war
he deserves all our respect and love
and honor forevermore
Teresa 7/2/03 2:30pm
Copyright ©2003 Teresa Lynn Nelson
dedicated to my brother-in-law
and all true soldiers
past, present, and future
One Silent Tear
I always fight
the urge to cry
some don't understand
and wonder why
it does not matter
that's just me
I have my reasons
for how I be
but sometimes it's hard
to hold it back
when things are dark
when things turn black
it often happens
out of the blue
from just a thought
from a feeling true
like when I was thinking
just today
how soldiers I know
will be going away
what they will risk
and what they're leaving behind
so many thoughts
wouldn't leave my mind
and then it happened
as my heart felt weak
one silent tear
ran down my cheek
Teresa 7/02/03 8:30 pm
Copyright ©2003 Teresa Lynn Nelson
I salute you
I salute you
those who fight
with honor for freedom
and all that's right
I salute you
those who stand
for what you believe in
with opposition at hand
I salute you
those who give
whatever they have to
so that others may live
I salute you
those who've died
you are America's heart
and America's pride
I salute you.
Teresa 7/4/03 9:10 pm
Copyright ©2003 Teresa Lynn Nelson
Red, White, and Blue
blowing in the wind I see
red, white, and blue
a flag of stars and stripes
in colors that are true
I look at it and think
of reasons that it waves
I recall with pain and sorrow
families that visit empty graves
those who gave their lives
so that people can be free
will never be forgotten
and that's how it should be
some were never found
loved ones couldn't say goodbye
all fight for freedom
many pay a price quite high
so each time you feel the pride
when you see those colors fly free
take a moment to honor and remember
those who gave it all for you and me
Teresa 7/4/03 8:40 pm
Copyright ©2003 Teresa Lynn Nelson