In honor and memory of one who gave all - wish I'd known you, Uncle Dink.
These are poems written by an uncle who died in an internee camp in Switzerland during WWII. He was a left waist gunner on a B17, serving in the 8th Air Force stationed in England - they are from his memoirs of the war.
Preface to Memoirs
All the world is waiting for the sun to rise on a bright new world.
I wait for red roses of Texas, blue orchids of home.
The Battle
The battle was hell fire but God has been there,
To help sinners yearning for proof of his care.
To show weary hearts that all is not lost,
Than victory is grand but is high in cost.
Than truth and prayer can never fail
If kept in mind heart and soul to avail.
The sinner of the truth of our God above,
Our God, our country, our all, our love.
Wild Broncs
Wild broncs have thrown me from east to west
Mad winds have blown me and blown their best
Satan has pierced me, both mind and soul,
I bleed like a river but think of the goal
And wait for the faraway angel of pain
To rise as red dust from the sandy plains
And kiss each wound of a heart red with shame
To pluck out the bullets and kindle new flame.
The Rose
The red rose you gave on a night long ago
Is still with you kiss on my heart, although
Hell's in my soul and death everywhere.
Battle thunders and rockets red glare,
Demons of hades have been at my heart
Forever it seems, and they never depart,
They burn with blue torches and kindle a flame,
They sear my sad heart - a heart still the same.
Fair Angel
From the Gold sands of Texas, Fair Angel aglow
Unfurl your candlelight wings, silver wings and go,
From our land of gay glitter, our life once carefree,
Now sad, dark and so bitter, love hurry to me.
Fly on the rainbow, on peace the bright light,
Lift your sinner low, out of the dark night,
Fly fast through the gloom, with speed of blue light,
To my lonely room, dreary cell all the night.
Thank you for sharing his poems with us.
Thank you for your service and your sacrifice, Uncle Dink!!!