Sphinx Breath

steve wardrip
Jul 25, 2017 · 2 min read

By Steve Wardrip

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I knew a soldier, a foreigner in this land, was bold, took a perilous stand,

By day, mechanic, at night whiskey shots, hard work, little money, cold, hot,

He worked his job for his country, for pride, the experience, not the money,

An ace pool shooter, he was a hero, he just happened to be at ground zero.

His service not forgotten, his duty done, Not his war, his battle that he won,

Soldiers ghost still guards the night, justified, he tried to do what’s right.

Sadness came to family and friends, Also dignity, honor, brave in the end,

A banquet in heaven, homecoming delight, This soldier, placed in paradise.

Looking back makes me so sad, lonely, All I see is today’s happy light only,

Not the tears or the wounds, a parade, After all, a lasting peace was made,

In fighting, there are no winners, only survivors, Discovered by reason divers,

Take chess, example, there is ample room, Strategy results in win or doom.

Sometimes we get stuck in a hollow place, between a wall and a blank face,

Then we have to wiggle free, escape, We might even wear a mask, a cape,

I’d resume a normal scheduled life, complete with a fork, spoon and knife,

Cleopatra's perfume for her, for him, Sphinx Breath, Both descend a depth.

All winners lose, and trophies to the others, Parents, sisters, brothers,

Let’s remember, there is an altar and there is a pit, Don’t fall helpless in it.

When the weather gets rough, we get tough, Will survive, we have enough.

If not enough, we’ll make more, We’ll build, stock, open, run the store.

The soldier dead, the monument built, A sculpted black orchid will not wilt,

Smoke rises steady, incense burned, Fortune realized, a treasure earned,

Right place, right time, seasons are steady, The gift given when I was ready.

Now, I know the secret of the Sphinx Breath, A wonderful elixir for death.

Poets Unlimited

Six Years of poetry-only publishing, PoetsUnlimited was a diverse, engaging and authentic poetry magazine. For most of that time a daily publication, it was always diverse and original, and free-to-read by all.

steve wardrip

Written by

Writer of Rumors, Gossip, Lies and Dreams — Poet, Scallywag, Whippersnapper and Galactic Co-Pilot

Poets Unlimited

Six Years of poetry-only publishing, PoetsUnlimited was a diverse, engaging and authentic poetry magazine. For most of that time a daily publication, it was always diverse and original, and free-to-read by all.

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