Eye Soar's Trials... Tribulations... & Blessed Treasures

EYE SOAR’S Trials . . .Tribulations . . .& Blessed Treasures

DAVID L. SLAUGHTER II

Copyright © 2012 by David L. Slaughter II.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Contents

LOVE THY FAMILY ALWAYS

BEING IN THE MIDDLE MEANS

YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY LOVE

BORN ON THE WINGS

DEAR SON

HONOR THY FAMILY HONOR

LIONESS

MY GRANDFATHER

TO MY ELDEST SISTER, OF WHOM

I AM VERY PROUD

TO THE ONE WHO KNOWS MOTHERHOOD

FOR MY LOVE

BLESSINGS OF THE ETERNAL FLOWER FIELD

HONOR THY MOTHER

ON OUR SEVENTH YEAR

SHE WHO NEVER GIVES UP

THIS, TO WHOM I SO LOVE...

DREAMS OF REALITY AND THE REALITY OF DREAMS

A PLACE CALLED COGNITO

ADDICTED TO DREAMING

ETERNALLY TO LIVE ONLY

IN MY DREAMS

FAMILIAR GROUNDS AND THE

DREAM WORLD AGENT

MEMORIES OF OLD OR JUST DREAMT DREAMS?

MERCURY, MANHATTAN PROJECT,

AND A SONG

REALITY AND DREAMS

SLEEP

THE DREAM WORLD

THE DREAMING TIME TRAVELER

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND

AND STRAY THINGS

A POEM ABOUT... NOTHING

HUMAN THOUGHT PROCESS

MY LEFT HAND

THE LOST DECADE NEVER FORGOTTEN

TURMOIL OF SELF

ANGEL ALONE

CONSTANT DOOM

DESIRING TO KNOW SO MUCH MORE

DESTITUTE

JUST TO QUIT HURTING

MISSED EXPERIENCES AND REGRETS

NEVER TOO OLD TO FEEL

STOP THE MADNESS THAT EVER

GROWS WITHIN

TRAVELLING PSYCHOSIS ROAD

UNDERSTANDING THE LONELINESS

UNSEEN ENEMY AT THE GATES

COME THOSE OF SHADOW

AND, THE SUN SHINES NEVER MORE

HOW MANY MORE CHRISTMASES...?

HUMANITY... THE EXTINCT

ILLUSIONS

LOOKING GLASS OF TRUTH

WARNING: DON’T WAKE HER...

PLANET PROVERB AND ITS PROVERBIAL DEMISE

SURVIVAL AND SACRIFICE IN A HOLOCAUST

UPON ENSLAVED FOUNDATIONS,

SHALL THERE BE PEACE IN OUR TIME

WHO SHALL WATCH THE WATCHER?

FREEDOM AMERICA

INDEPENDENCE DAY

LADY AMERICA

RENEWING THE OLD VOICE

OF THE FORGOTTEN BELL

TAKE BACK THIS NATION BY

WHATEVER MEANS

SOLDIERS, VETERANS, AND

THOSE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED

A SOLDIER’S CHRISTMAS LETTER

MY BROTHERS (FDNY VERSION)

MY BROTHERS (ORIGINAL VERSION)

NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW

ODE TO MILITARY BRATS

OVERDUE HONOR

PANDORA’S BOX: THE BATTLE

OF MOGADISHU

THE COMBAT SOLDIER’S TWO WARS

THE TIRED ANGEL

TRAPPED

WE ARE WARRIORS

THE PATHS BEFORE

AND BEHIND ME

AS IS...

FROM THE SOIL, TO THE SOIL

MEMORIAL DAY

STAY MY HAND FROM KILLING

TO INSPIRE TO BE MORE

IT ISN’T ABOUT THE WORDS...

MUSIC: WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

NATURAL TALENT NEEDS NO DEGREE

PHYSICAL BEAUTY: THE MASK TO

COVER UGLINESS

RESPECT

RISE UP, O BIG BEAUTIFUL WOMEN

THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND

MY WRITINGS

TALES INSPIRED BY HISTORY,

THE WORLD, AND OTHER TALES

IT COMES... THE HUNTER OF MEN

LEGENDS OF A FORGOTTEN DEAD WORLD

NIGHTMARE IN THE DARKNESS

OCTOBER–THE BRINGER OF DEATH, DARKNESS, LIFE, AND HOPE

THE ALPHA

THE CRIER’S NIGHT WALK

THE MOTHER, THE WIFE:

A TALE OF AN AUSCHWITZ PRISONER

THE NAIL BROTHERS

(A NEW CONSTRUCTION TO BEAR)

THE SIX MOUNTAINS:

ODE TO THE SPACE SHUTTLE

THE STEEL GIRDER THAT NOW HONORS

THE STORM AND THE LOVERS

THE TREE

TOUCHING THE FACE OF GOD:

ODE TO ASTRONAUTS

UNDEAD APOCALYPSE

TO THE LORD,

FROM THE LORD

BLESSINGS IN EVERY DROP OF RAIN

DEAR LORD

GIFTS OF GOD

GOD, DID YOU FORGET KANSAS?

GRACE

PAINTED SCULPTURES

PRAYER FOR SALVATION FROM THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL

THANKSGIVING

THE FORGOTTEN BOOK THAT

PATIENTLY WAITS

THE GRASS IN MY YARD

To every member of my family, both past and present, who ever had a dream that never came to fruition: May this published work be your pride and overdue rectification.

To my beloved wife, Andrea, who–like so many others–told me that I had a gift that needed to be shared. Thank you, every one of you, for your gracious hearts and loving care.

To my son, Dakota, whom I love with all my heart. It is especially for you, my son that I have decided to publish these words. May you find your own gifted talent so that you too shall soar with the birds.

To Xlibris, the publishing company behind this book. In their enthusiasm, professionalism, and over all wonderful nature, the future now has a brighter outlook.

And, finally, to God. Without His gift to me of writing, none of what is written here could possibly be. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for Your many gifts that you bestow upon the whole of humanity.

FOREWORD

Who doesn’t have a dream? Certainly, we all have at least one. Some dream of being an actor, a singer, an artist, a writer, or even the leader of their nation of people. Some dreams are relatively small ones while others are almost beyond imagining. Many dreams are met by hard work. Others come when you least expect them. And, of course, some dreams, for whatever the reason, never come true. Yes. We all have a dream. And, the words within the confines of these very pages are my dream come true and God’s gift to me and my gift to you.

I began writing when I was a child. Back then, it often small stories about dinosaurs, robots, space aliens, even cartoons I enjoyed at the time. Compared to today, those old stories were short, far from detailed definitely not award winning by any means. Yet, for reasons that I can only think in human terms of, I never gave up. Writing has been a love and remains so to this day.

As you read the poetry, whether it is a single page poem or one of the longer story-poems, you will perhaps wonder if perhaps I speak of myself. And, some are definitely about me. But, most of the others are about actual events, people, and general thoughts that have inspired me to write. Some are written in first person, although they are through the eyes of the people or person that inspired the poem. Others are in third person. And, yes, there are poems that about me. But, I don’t want to blow my own horn on the matter.

I was born and raised around the United States Air Force, courtesy of my father’s choice to serve his country. As such, I grew up learning all about jet fighters, bombers, weaponry, the uniform, the rules, and basically, the life of those who served and my fellow Air Force Brats. But, more than these things, I learned to be observant to the world at large. In fact, as my mother once said (about us moving to an air base in Germany), Just think: When you get back to the States and they talk about Europe, you will have something to tell the class. Well, I didn’t really get that chance when I came back to the U.S. Nonetheless, the memory remains and so does the love and respect European cultures. But, more than this, I retain a desire to learn about all cultures, languages, etc. In short, to know the world is to know myself. And, I share myself with the world.

Some poems are politically-based. Others are religious and spiritual. There are those that give warning for people to keep in mind that history can repeat itself if we ignore the signs and do nothing to stop it (I do not advocate violence for problem solving. But, I do respect those who fight for what they believe in and those who uphold their oaths). There are poems about family and ones about my love for dreaming. And, there are poems that are just as random and senseless as can possibly be. These poems may have been written by me, but they were written for you–the reader.

In final words, I do not seek praise for how well a poem has been written no more than I seek criticism. I do not seek fame or fortune. I don’t seek to be in the same league as William Shakespeare or William Yeats, although they have been two of my greatest inspirations for poetry. And, I am certainly not looking to earn a Nobel Peace Prize or other such accolades. All I desire is two things. One, that you–the reader–gain something for yourself, to perhaps learn something that you didn’t before or to consider something you have thought of only in previous passing. And, two, to take the unrealized and/or incomplete legacies and dreams of every person of my family, from ancestor to my living relatives, and have them finally come to fruition, no matter what they desired to do. In this, my grandfather was a writer before me. But, his work was turned down. My father also tried. And, he too was turned down. Therefore, I hope that this one book... these words of poetry... will be their faith and prides restored.

Enjoy and may you learn about yourself as I have learned about myself.

Sincerely,

David L. Slaughter II

LOVE THY FAMILY ALWAYS

BEING IN THE MIDDLE MEANS

YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY LOVE

Born between a rivalry and parents with love so true

God blessed us all when He brought forth you

Being in the middle of two parents and two siblings

Rest assured our love for you was never trickling

Even when you found yourself in the middle in a new angle

Yet, another sister, all three of you are my blessed angels

And, even in life, you were always caught in the middle

You gave it always your all and expected so little

A daughter, a sister, a dancer, missionary, wife, and performer

When life was at its coldest, your heart has always been warmer

Curious, outgoing, loving, gracious, and feeling

Surrounded by so many blessings that surpass the highest ceiling

When I was at my darkest, you always brought forth light

When the eldest sister needed a friend, you brought her delight

When the youngest sister needed hope, you were always her heart

When Mom and Dad needed love, you were always their spark

Friendships gained you trust and God gained you faith

You have never waivered even against the darkest wraith

Blessed art thou amongst the many of His wonders

So, lift your head always high and let your voice thunder

My middle sister, oh dearest muse, forever rest within Xanadu

From it, you are the heart and life for many imbued

Given so much, you have always believed in much more

Your husband is but a drop of the blessings in store

Yes, my middle sister, you are truly surrounded

As such, you have been wrapped by the very profounded

Know that you have been given gifts that has made God smile

Remember well these and you will succeed any trial

So, in closing, let me say lastly how proud I remain

Through your love and guidance, I have taken on faith

If I am ever behind the walls of old and the horns threaten Jericho

Let them shatter with the very words that continue to echo

The love of a sister is one of the strongest loves of all

Its blinding and radiant light will make any shadow fall

As love has surrounded you throughout your very life

Let it continue to surround you and you shall always choose right

BORN ON THE WINGS

Born of duty and an honor of old

You have faced challenges so bold

Even if fear ever resided within

You always strived for the win

And, so it was, you took your own step

What came from it was far from inept

Born of an Army ground pounder

And a woman who’d never flounder

You knew expectations were always high

There could be no quit, no roll over and die

Always doing your best, even more so

The man that is today was starting to grow

Even in the days of World War II

When Grandpa served the red, white, and blue

He helped to lay down the future path

Which you travelled during the Commie wrath

In tradition of serving, you chose wise

Letting your work take you to the skies

Off you went into that wild blue yonder

Where today, your spirit still wanders

Regret it never; know it was never for naught

For this land remains free at your cost

So many blessings came from a single choice

For, at Tyndall, life arrived with a new voice

And, while love was fleeting at that moment

Another waited in the wings of the firmament

At a place called Loring, there came two new

At that plant of war, you discovered your love true

A lonely woman and her blessed daughter

An only son with his military father

The wings fell open and the blueness was white

And, in the sight of God, you took your wife

To have and to hold, through sickness and in health

To stand with you in heaven or by you on the fields of hell

And, so it was that this love was tested

Becoming richer with the faith invested

Two more souls born in a far away land

Two more blessings for this woman and man

And, while the son was difficult many a time

Your strength never waivered or fell behind

Family, honor, service, and duty are your names

And, in retirement, this legacy carries its fame

Four grown children, married and their own

Surely, your heart smiles from the seeds you’ve sewn

From the first to the last, we now carry you on our wings

And, your faith and love shall be what the angels sing

We–your children–have your faith and love

We shall always possess your honor and strength to rise above

As twilight comes in your retirement life

Know always, Dad, you always chose right

The right spouse, the right children, the right soul

The right career, the right parents, the right goal

And, when that day comes that your spirit wings unfurl

Look back upon us and smile proudly as you leave this world

In closing, Dad, I am proud to be your son

You were always a rock, even under the gun

Firmly founded, we have come to count on you

Such, we–your children–know as the truth

My voice carries on and continues to sing

Shall it continue when you are reborn on the wings

DEAR SON

Dear Son,-

Whom I have so loved with all my heart

Even as time has kept us far and apart

I have never given up hope that one day would come

When we would truly become openly father and son

We have laid eyes upon one another only once

And, I held you and your hand while you were so young

Your memory has likely long forgotten my face

But, you have never been forgotten, for in my heart have you been placed

I know not what your mother has told you about me, whether good or bad

I know I deserve ill words, for I made her life tragic, angry and sad

If I could, I would make any and all amends to set all wrongs right

So that I could be