[Oleg Volk]

A line in the sand.

The enemy host approached
Beheld the line in the sand
Walked along it without crossing
Deciding what to do next

Dug into chilly foxholes
Defenders awaited onslaught
Their sights set to the distance
At which the enemy paused

As bugles signaled advance
A volley ripped into the ranks
And while the bodies were falling
Lead storm tore at them once again

Checked by effective fire
Invaders retreated in shame
Learning that line in the sand
Was also marker for range

Remember that, would-be tyrants
To boundaries pay some respect
For free men still have their rifles
And wages of evil is death

[sm]

Oleg, whom is the author ?
Very chilling and sobering.

[BluesBear]

Amen.

[Oleg Volk]

I wrote is just now. The title used to be my tag line a while ago. Tonight seemed like a good time to expand on that sentiment.

[critter]

NOW I LIKE THAT! Oleg, your talent and many and varied!

[geekWithA.45]

:)!

[Marko Kloos]

Future generations will refer to this poem as being from Oleg's "Sunny Period." :D

[FPrice]

Photographer, shooter, poet.

Great combination Oleg...keep up the good work!

[techmike]

Spoken like a Warrior Poet. Bravo!!!

[hillbilly]

While this poem has a Marine Corps emphasis, it does have a good message about rifles.

Here's the link as the site won't let me copy and paste the text.

http://www.embassymarine.org/Rifles.htm

[armoredman]

Good stuff, both of you!:cool:

[SJG26]

Is Oleg going for the sensitivity tag?? ( Chicks luvvvvvvvvv sensitive guys.........);)


Very admirable writing by the way........................

[RustyHammer]

Lock and load ...

[Gus Dddysgrl]

VERY GOOD WORK.

I love English/literature/writing stuff and that's a keeper.

[Amish_Bill]

:D

[4v50 Gary]

I generally don't read poetry but that I read and enjoyed.:D

[BowStreetRunner]

::::::::For free men still have their rifles::::::
::::::::And wages of evil is death::::::::



I likey that a lot
great ending and great poem
:)
BSR

[Brian Dale]

Good One!

[Sven]

Elegant.

[Oleg Volk]

Sven,

Maybe I should find Bud Jensen's email and forward it to him.

;)

[SMLE]

Since we're on the subject of poetry, here is one I wrote last year for the anniversary of D-Day;

Whiskey, Gin and Schnapps

Just outside the Pearly gates, the golden pavement stops
And there stands a little bar that serves Whiskey, Gin and Schnapps.

At a table in one corner, Three young men are drinking.
One moment they are talking, another they are thinking.

Each one has a story about that dreadful day,
When each of them arrived here by his own unpleasant way.

Joe was from Kentucky, his father tilled the soil
And hoped for better for his son than a life of endless toil.

Joe's end was fairly clean, from a rifle shot,
A heavy Mauser bullet don't slow down for no steel pot.

Tommy was from London town, a Cockney born and bred,
He drove a double decker bus to keep his family fed.

Tommy's end was rougher, a rather messy fate,
When he stepped into the flight path of that whistlin' Eighty-eight.

Fritz was from Thruringia where his father ran a bank,
His mother was pious soul who never smoked or drank.

Fritz was in a bunker he thought was out of reach,
But not from sixteen inchers standing off the beach.

Each one had a story, each one had a name,
And even with their differences, they were pretty much the same.

So we'll sing Ich hat ein Kameraden, play Last Post and Taps,
And drink a toast to heroes with Whiskey, Gin and Schnapps!

[SMLE]

And here is a classic.

EVERY MAN SHOULD HAVE A GUN
Henry Lawson, 1907

So I sit and write and ponder
While the house is deaf and dumb,
Seeing visions over yonder of the war
I know must come.
In the corner - not a vision - but a
Sign of coming days,
Stands a box of ammunition and a
Rifle in green baize.
And in this, the living present, let the
Word be through the land,
Every tradesman, clerk, and peasant
Should have these two things at hand.
No, no ranting song is needed, and no
Meeting, flag, or fuss.
In the future, still unheeded, shall the
Spirit come to us.
Without feathers, drum, or riot on
The day that is to be,
We shall march down very quiet to
Our stations by the sea.
While the bitter parties stifle every
Voice that warns of war,
Every man should have a rifle,
And cartridges in store.

[Oleg Volk]

SMLE,

Your poem is touching!