Once in a Blue Moon

Did You See That Blue Moon Tonight?

      OOOOOhhhh, AAAAAhhhh, that Blue Moon thing....

Once in a Blue Moon

A Collection for Women

I first published this page on another blog that I write, and I am republishing it here to present it in the continuity of this series of poems I wrote on women and our experiences in war and to add all of these poems to my poetry blog.  I have written many other poems about all the roles women play in war, and I hope you will read them as well.   Here again I offer some of the thoughts that I experienced as I anticipated a trip to Washington D.C. where I was to visit with two of my "women of war" friends.

I was thinking again this morning about how the women of the world develop relationships of sisterhood in many different shared experiences.  I am certain that a large factor to this is found in the role of motherhood which is a common experience for many women, and a profound role for any woman.  Falling in love with men is another shared  emotional experience that is so life imprinting when it is experienced by a woman. On Friday I am flying into Washington, and part of my anticipation and excitement lies in the spending of time with two cherished women who are among the strongest in mind, heart, and spirit of my women friends.  One is a relatively new friend, and I am delighting in coming to know more about her life, her interests, where she draws her incredible strength from, her life challenges, and her strategies for meeting them.  For in these observations, I will gain strength and skills for my own life, and I hope too, to share the skills that I have won in my life in order to give empowerment and encouragement to her.  The other friend I have had for awhile, and come to deeply admire.  When something is truly challenging in my life, I seek out her wisdom.  Her life, and that of her husband are a testimony to what has built and sustained our nation, they are people who have truly offered self-less service to our country, and in essence to the world.  The poem I wrote entitled Rare and Remarkable Women was written in tribute to this amazing friend.  Following that poem you will find several others about the women of war.

For of Such is the Kingdom of God

I learned of something yesterday that made my heart catch in complete happiness.  My little Kenna Bear made a profession of faith on Sunday while at church.  She is the youngest of our grand-children, has spent a great deal of time in my arms since she was born, and shared her soul with me.  To learn of her sealing of her heart to the Father caused tears of blessedness for me.  One of the most difficult things I face as we move to the Middle East is the separation from our grand-children, nothing in this world means more to us.  Seeing them come to the Lord ensures that one day we will leave this world to spend eternity in our forever home, and never be separated from, or lonely for them again.  When I am absent from the presence of our grand-children I am in constant loneliness for them.  Being with them is the greatest delight I experience in this life, along with being with my husband and our children.

 I love this picture of McKenna, it really captures her insides... which are so lovely!

When my husband first deployed to war in April of 2009, you would never have been able to convince me that there would be but one blessings that would come to us.  The sacrifice that separation has required from me I do not have the words to convey , and other than knowing that we both were fulfilling God's will in our lives by Randy's service, I anticipated nothing but the blessing that comes from that.  However, God being God, there were and are so many rich blessings, I can no longer count them all.  Some of those blessings have been of such a surprising nature.  Coming to know Canon Andrew White, because of Randy's service with first the Army, and then the State Department has been one of those surprise blessings.  He is known the world over as The Vicar of Baghdad, and known to our hearts as a dear friend, and a pastor to the people of Baghdad who desire to know the True and Living God.  An even greater blessing has come with coming to know some of the people he pastors, and to love them as family.  We rejoice with them when they rejoice, and mourn with them when they mourn, and the people of Iraq have come to be knit to our hearts, as we have seen God's great love for them, how He cherishes and provides for them, even as great evil attacks and causes them to suffer desperately.

One day Andrew posted to Facebook the following story, which reflected so vividly what life as a Christian is like in the Middle East.  It will cost you something more than the usual to follow Him in Baghdad Iraq, and those Brothers and Sisters in the Lord have my prayers everyday.  After the events portrayed in the story below, what I learned from these little children became another rich blessing from God. I would never have known all these little children have taught me without Randy's willingness to serve our country and our people in the United States Army and the State Department.  I thank God everyday for men such as my husband and Canon Andrew White, and for the children of St. George's Church, who love God, and with joy and abandon claiming Him Lord and Savior.  May God be with them daily as they struggle and triumph in the face of adversity such as I have never known.  Knowing of their lives, seeing their faces which reflect their innocence, joy, peace, and God's amazing love, causes a sensation in me of awe and wonder at what God has done, and is doing, in Iraq.  Had their lives been taken that day by the terrorists, they would have instantly been transported to their forever home to be with the God they love, and that is the ultimate of obtaining blessing.  Instead they were protected by our God, and left in this world a witness to the joy and peace that God brings to every true believer, no matter what the circumstances they face in this world.  As Matthew 19:14 so beautifully states, "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Below you will find what I wrote in tribute to the beautiful children of St. George's Church, Baghdad, Iraq, the day that God spared their lives to leave them in this world as a testimony for all to see of true love and devotion to God, and for each of us to be blessed by.  I thank you Father God for their lives, for their love of You and the testimony of their love, and as on each day is my habit, I ask your favor and blessings for them today, may they know they are loved by You, and by me.

I love photographs, truly one picture can be worth a thousand words, Al Hassan H. Fahmi, of Baghdad, Iraq took this one. Last Tuesday, a week ago, as a group of children from St. George Church, Baghdad, Iraq, were on their way by bus to church for their communion classes, a suicide bomber left this world for the next as their bus passed.  He was Taliban of Al Qaeda, and the purpose of this bombing is believed to have been an effort to free Taliban members held prisoner in a nearby Iraqi jail.  As the children later related the story to their pastor and our dear friend, Brother Andrew White, they told him that they began singing and praying, because God had delivered and protected them from the blast.  These children know well the explosions of violence which occur daily in Iraq.  In their lifetimes all they have ever known is war.  They were born during war, and its horrors and its thefts of security and peace are constant companions to them and everyone else in Iraq.  Yet the faith in Jesus Christ of these children did not leave them crying and screaming at the death and injuries around them, but because of  their faith, they remained calm as the bus sped on, trying to escape the danger.

They had not escaped at that point however, and another huge blast shook the bus, blowing out all the windows and badly damaging the bus.  Here is Brother Andrew's account of what happened:

From Baghdad, Canon White
Terrible Bomb Blast of Our Children’s Bus and They're  All Alive

Dear Friends,

We are used to of bad days but today it has been in a different league. Central to our work and ministry here are our children. One of the biggest services of the year is when some of our children have there first communion. This service at the end of August. The children prepare everyday with

about two hours of sessions. They all come to church in our bus and are then taken home.

As they were on their way home today they were caught up in a major bomb. The bus was not too badly damaged and it continued it journey. All of children started singing the Lords Prayer. As they were in the midst of their prayer a huge bomb exploded. All the glass of the windows shattered, people fell to the floor injured and one of the teachers was in a very bad way. They were all taken to hospital but were all discharged as none of them had life threatening illnesses. In a normal country there is no way that some of the teachers would have been discharged. One person was hardly breathing and in profound shock. She was brought to the church and I looked after her until she was more stable. Only then could I leave to visit all the children.

It was wonderful seeing all the children. Despite their injuries they were all smiling, their parents were not some were in floods of tears on learning what happened. The fact is that today was miraculous. When you see the state of the bus it is simply a major miracle that nobody died or was more seriously injured. The children knew quite clearly why, they just kept telling me that they were alright because they were praying and G-d was with them and He was.

Many tears were shed and there are huge things still to do and there are people who still need treatment. Please pray for us as we try and recover from another trauma.

Grace, Peace, and Blessings,

Andrew

While they were badly shaken, and of course needed comfort, they are doing very well now.  A couple of days later, Brother Andrew posted the picture at this link, and I have not been able to escape its captivating message, you won't be either...

 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151159402041369&set=a.65409196368.79084.617111368&type=1&theater

I wrote the following poem in tribute to these amazing children, and God's power and glory! 

For of Such is the Kingdom of God

The picture I see shows them smiling and beguiling, love and peace is seen in each eye.

Some would not understand how it can be that these beautiful children do not cry.

Death brushed by these happy young faithful, and from the crowd took nineteen.

Enemies within had brought death, and until the destruction, had remained unseen.

With the first blast of violence, in the bus they began sweetly to pray and sing,

Like Paul when he was in prison in a hole in the ground, and God gave him wings.

Then came the second roaring blast, which left their bus shattered and damaged.

God’s guardian angels brought His protection, to these precious, no harm was managed.

God’s divine knowledge and understanding, we know our children does not always spare.

Even then in life wrecking grief, we know always the sure mercies of His love and care.

This time, while I do not comprehend what hidden wisdom has held back His hand,

I find such faith in their young lives, and inspiration, as they for Jesus take their stand.

This miracle reminds me of words spoken long ago to little children by the one who is My Rock.

When he said, “it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom, so fear not little flock.”

I sometimes worry about Brother Andrew, as he travels the world seeking support for the Christians of St. George, they do not have an easy life.  At any moment their faith could cost them, or someone they love, their life.  You will find links on Brother Andrew's facebook page,  and the St. George's page where you can make your own pledge of support for the work in Iraq, and follow there what The Living God is doing in Iraq.  God's blessings will surely be yours if you keep these faithful in Iraq, especially these beautiful and courageous young Christians, in your prayers. 
 

  

I Saw the Sad Eyes

 

  

I Saw the Sad Eyes 

I saw the sad eyes of women who had been betrayed,
By those who from honor, never should have strayed.

They could not have known what would come to them,

 Integrity was pledged and they believed without a whim.

In a dark hour their faith and loyalty was shattered. 
Their lives, without regard, left broken and tattered.

 

Time seemed strangled and unable their injuries to mend.
To go on with life seemed to have nowhere to begin.

Then in chorus the sad eyes looked around in panic and pain,
In a moment they knew other eyes revealed the same stain.

                                                                    
 Hearts united and power and change came with more ease,      
 The weakest were lifted first by the women from their knees.

Words and tears were shared and brought balm to their soul wounds.
Slowly in unity they overcame, and the living of lives resumed.

 

 I saw the sad eyes of women who had been betrayed. 
By those who from honor, never should have strayed.

     

The photos of eyes of women posted as a part of this poem are cropped from pictures taken at the Service Women's Action Network conference in April of 2013. I was privileged to be asked to attend this conference. These women are all survivors of Military Sexual Trauma. There is one exception, the eyes portrayed in black and white at the top of the post, are those of a non-survivor, her father attended the conference, as did several parents of Victims.  Her name was Carrie, she was a Marine, and she took her own life after being unable to cope with the beating and rape she sustained while in service, perpetrated by those serving along side of her.  Her father, a retired Marine works tirelessly to bring justice for her. We gathered to celebrate survival, offer support to one another, to work for change, and to mourn for and remember those who did not survive.  One of our goals was the passage of the Ruth Moore Act, which provides for equal consideration for those Service Members who suffer PTSD due to MST, and provision for the same benefits and services as provided those who suffer PTSD due to combat.  On June 04, 2013, it became law.

Another of our goals was to change how cases of Military Sexual Trauma are investigated and handled, and December of 2013 saw progress in that area as well.  We owe so much to those who serve, our prayers, our love, and our support.  That support should always include demanding that at all times the military operates from a place of sacred duty and honor, and that every Service Member be valued, and promises from our government kept.

Betrayed Soldier

There are Soldiers who are betrayed by the ones they leave behind when they go to fight a war.  In truth, there are all kinds of infidelities which can creep into the relationships of military families.  General David Patraeus, despite all his accomplishments, will forever be remembered as the poster child of betrayal on the part of a Soldier toward a supportive spouse.   Spouses bear their own sacrifices required of service.  Then there are those Soldiers of every rank, who while they are deployed, learn that the one they love has not been faithful.  Their marriages or relationships often become tragedies of war.

Recovering from a broken marriage is difficult for anyone, but our military families have borne the stress of so many deployments and separations.   With the strains of the Service Member conducting war, the dissolving of their relationships can be more dramatic than most.  Many of the Service Members have seen atrocities, watched those serving beside them sustain injuries, and of course some have lost the one serving beside them to a combat casualty.  What I have observed as even more difficult for many, is the loss of someone who has served next to them to suicide. 

Of course the spouse and children left behind face challenges of their own.  The girlfriend or the boyfriend as well will live in a strain that is not conducive to the strengthening of the relationship.  All of these experiences contribute to placing great struggles upon the marriages and relationships of our military and their families.  Even with all of the negative which threatens the military family, most grow stronger from meeting their challenges, and those who do grow stronger gain a unique courage to meet life's greatest trials.  That serves to make them even stronger than they were before war came to their lives.

Still there are those who will need the support of family and friends after having survived the battle field, and then being wounded by the loss of a relationship.  I offer no explanations, judgements, or thoughts on the behavior of those who betray.  However, I am confident that one day, He Who Sits on the Throne will judge their actions rightly.  This is a very dark poem about unimaginable pain of the heart.  These kinds of wounds can be as deadly as IEDs and bombs.

Milling faces took my breath today,

Made me ask could she our love betray.

She said she meant to take the images away.

That told me she knew it was wrong that day.

The pictures were made on a day in May,

All this time she had allowed them to stay.

She will never know the price I have had to pay,

While I went to war and she stayed.

My heart aches and I can’t hold the tears at bay,

I feel loneliness has been my constant companion always.

This pain holds me captive in its sway.

I cannot escape; my world has gone dark and gray.

Her words to me a love story do not portray.

I think never will I feel loved again in any way.

I cannot in this world I am in, where all there seems to be is pain,

See within myself or anywhere, something I have the desire to gain.

Daily all around me there are those who escape this world's ultimate despair.

In this solitary place I have the means and courage their fate to share.

Did You See That Blue Moon Tonight?

Did You See That Blue Moon Tonight?

                          

 OOOOOhhhh, AAAAAhhhh, that Blue Moon thing....

Blue Moon

Did you see that rare blue moon tonight,

In the sky of the land where they fight?

As I gazed up I thought longingly of you,

When you saw it, did you think of me too?

War has taken you my Soldier, far from me,

You left, and I never knew how long it would be.

When you are gone it leaves a hole in my heart,

How I wish we never had to be apart. 

 Now I wonder will I see you sometime soon,

I realize sadly, only once in a blue moon.

I love you and miss you Randy.... 

Young Women With Dark Eyes and Dark Hair

 One of my favorite poems is one of the first I wrote.  After I read a story about  several young Afghan women who had joined the Afghan National Army, and who were training to be pilots, I wanted to pay tribute to them.  What amazing courage and selfless service for their country, and all women of the Middle East, their service represents!  I know what opposition and threat by some, it will bring to their lives. With these words I hope I honor these young women as they stand in courage and strength. I offer my poem of tribute to the young pilots, and all the brave women of Afghanistan, who have endured much.

Young Women With Dark Eyes and Dark Hair

Who are these young women with dark eyes and dark hair,
With beauty that runs so deep, and courage rare?

From what cloth were they cut, and where was it woven?
Who was the Artist from whose mind the colors were chosen?

 Of what fiber is the cloth and thread made,
That forms their true hearts which when they were bade,

By whispers to their souls of service to their country and us all,
Without hesitation bid them answer that call?

The fibers from which those threads took shape,
Were grown by the people of their nation who do not hate.

The seeds were planted in the soil by their fathers.
Then the fibers were collected at harvest by their brothers.

The thread of hope was spun by the hands of their skilled mothers.
None gave heed to the threats of others.

Then they were woven by their sisters, whose lives will be forever changed,
By the steps that they take and the destiny they arrange.

Finally from the Artist's hand, priceless treasure, a gift from Afghanistan,
Came to the people of the world who desire only with honor to stand.

Their mark and place in history their names will take.
When their life's work is made for the peace that lies at stake.

Who are these young women with dark eyes and dark hair,
With beauty that runs so deep, and courage rare?

Alone, All, All, Alone

One of the most outstanding characteristics of PTSD is the overwhelming sense of being isolated.  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, was originally termed and officially diagnosed in Soldiers coming home from Viet Nam, but Soldier's Heart, as it was called during the American Revolution and the Civil War, has been recognized since Biblical times.  It also is suffered by persons who experience other traumatic type incidents in life.  The feelings are often the same.  I have had so many Soldiers, and even their family members, describe how alone they feel.

I Came Home to My Daughter

Aunty Brat, my good friend and fellow supporter of the American and Coalition Forces, sent me a note about a Soldier coming home on leave to see, for the first time, his new baby girl.  She was born while he was deployed.  It brought such beautiful images to my mind immediately, and when I went to Aunty's blog and saw her picture, my heart just melted at her sweet little self.

http://assolutatranquillita.blogspot.com/2011/05/every-day-hero-welcome-home.html

To her parents and all her family, thanks for making my day, and thank you all for your service and sacrifice!  We are a grateful nation!  This is what I sent to the new baby and all those who love her.  May she thrive in your love, always live in liberty, and come to know of your sacrifices to the preservation of freedom.

You know, if Aunty Brat says you are a special Soldier, you must indeed be a special Solider. It is always difficult for me to put into words how I feel about Soldiers and their families. When I try to open a ketchup package, and it is difficult for me, there is a thought that never fails to cross my mind. No matter how much I love my country, if it had to depend on me for for some of the most important of the protection needed from its enemies, we women would all be wearing burqas. We must have young men and women of the caliber and skills which you possess, or our heritage of freedom will disappear.... As the sign on my gate says, "Land of the free, because of the brave."

Since my husband went to war, poetry concerning this great conflict has haunted me until I express it. Your homecoming to your new daughter caused beautiful images in my mind. I wrote words that I hope will comfort and empower your family as you serve. So here is my gift to the new baby:

                                               I Came Home to My Daughter

                                   There she lay, so warm, pink, soft, and sweet.
                                               When first we finally did meet.

                                I saw so much of her mother there in her eyes,
       The stamp of my own features on her countenance threatened to make me cry.

                                 Wonder at the first sight of my darling daughter,
                          Swept my soul, and I knew my life she would forever alter.

                                         Feelings too tender for the battlefield,
                            In that moment caused all my vigilance briefly to yield.

                                   Then I realized more clearly than ever before,
                  I was called to war because of an evil good people everywhere deplore.

                               My newborn child and all the children of the world,
                              Need those of us in service, the flag of liberty to unfurl.

                     In my daughter’s face I saw the hope of our world and our nation,
                           Waiting for her contributions, which true peace will hasten.

                        I knew that in a land far away, where long I had stood the wall,
                      Children were seeing first hand our intent in the service of us all.

       As they watch, I know they too will learn,

                         Their own hearts for peace and liberty will come to yearn.

In this the power of the enemy will disappear,

The truth of all our brotherhood will finally do away with all fear.

So though my heart longs to stay,

I will again return to the war zone in just a few short days.

In my mind, images of her gentle beauty,

Will give me strength and bring complete commitment to my sacred duty.

Rock Gently the Cradle Lullaby

 

Rock Gently the Cradle Lullaby 

Rock gently the cradle of the Soldier’s baby where he sleeps.

Make certain he has no need that you have resources to meet.

Who would not with his life his son or daughter defend,

If an enemy stood in plain sight ready to make that child’s life end?

Somewhere across great oceans a Soldier tonight,

Stands for his country ready to fight.

Keeping watch to protect not only the son he left behind,

He keeps watch too for your son and mine.

For each of us, our children hold fast our hearts,

In order for them to grow up in liberty, someone to war must depart.

Remember the sacrifices of those left behind and take care should they weep.

Rock gently the cradle of the Soldier’s baby where he sleeps. 

His Presence His Mother Will Miss

This photo belongs to Sheri Tester

His Presence His Mother Will Miss

Today I read of a young man's vow, and I cried considering this.

A son is leaving home, I know his presence his mother will miss.

I know of such things, and pride and love rose in my own heart.

For someone I have never met, who from home and family will depart.

Sacrifice will be required, and challenges will be many and great.

At home, for his return his family, friends, and mother will wait.

As I have watched those I hold most dear for many years serve,

I know what honor and regard such a selfless commitment deserves.

Today I read of a young man's vow, and I cried considering this.

A son is leaving home, I know his presence his mother will miss.

 This Peace Rose was raised in my garden by the front door.

This poem is for Sheri Tester and her son Steven, January 30, 2014

Old Soldiers Sleep Soundly at Night

Old Soldiers Sleep Soundly at Night

When they lay down their gray head, old soldiers sleep soundly at night.

They have borne the battle; they have fought the good fight.

When liberty and the freedom which Our Almighty ordained,

Was threatened forever to be forgotten, and liberty to be stained.

The call had gone out for men with bold courage and heart,

For those willing to wage war, yet from honor never to depart.

He had been young then, confident, and full of vim and vigor.

Muscled and strong, he had possessed the necessary will to pull the trigger.

Soon he learned just how hard and unforgiving meeting the enemy would be.

In those moments another life would be taken, no other way could he see.

Because the enemy had been impossible by any words or reason to hold at bay,

Inside without pause, he realized he could defend all he loved in no other way.

After that first battle, when the stranger lay dead at his feet.

His mind had reeled in despair, knowing that he had sent him his Maker to meet.

It seemed forever he was in a foreign land where all he could see was sand.

Victory, he knew, could be won only by making a committed stand. 

Years had rolled by as in service to the conflict he came and he went.

His children grew up while he was at war, the enemy would not relent.

The sparkle in the eyes of his beautiful wife had slowly died.

For too many nights she lay lonely and sad as she had cried.

They both had known that his absence had been without doubt required.

While she grieved at time forever lost, his dedication she deeply admired.

At long last he had put in his time and had come home never to leave.

For a long time what he had seen caused him deep inside to quietly grieve.

Then the years and hard gained wisdom softened the wounds of his soul.

Peacefully and never forgetting the cost of freedom, he had grown old.

The nightmares and images seared on his heart at the time,

Always he had deliberately kept in a contained corner of his mind.

Whenever the flag passed or the pledge of allegiance was said.

Love of his country and memories of the fallen caused a tear to be shed.

More than most, he knew the price that always had to be paid,

To preserve the country from those whose vanity sent them on evil crusades.

 His own answering of the call for defenders of all that we hold dear,

Was the thing that caused him to sleep without worry or fear.

His debt for the privilege of life in our country whose truth is self-evident.

Had been paid and he knew that his final sleep was growing eminent.

Sometimes good men must do dreadful things to pass on to those they love,

The gifts and blessings of that great precept that comes from above.

When they lay down their gray head, old soldiers sleep soundly at night.

They have borne the battle; they have fought the good fight.