Photo by Jim Pankey "WildSpirit"Jim's Photography can be found at Picasa and Fotothing
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Suggested prompt...
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Regarding this picture - Jim says... The old marine is a Pearl Harbor (USS Arizona) survivor, one of the original flag raisers on Iwo Jima, Ed Bardwell from Hemet, California. Look at his hands. They feel like coarse, sharp gravel. The little girl's name might be Cameron, who had just sung either 'God Bless America' or 'America the Beautiful,' I think, at ceremonies taken in 2006.
This is a second prompt this day, but Jim's photo is so strong I couldn't think of a better day to post it.
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I held her tight, the way my father hugged me to him when he left for war. At the time, I thought nothing. I pulled away, the contact disgusting me. I didn't ever think that would be the last time I saw him. I hugged her close to me, like my mother had to me, when I had left for war. I hugged her tight, knowing soon, she would grow to be an invincible youth. I had been one too. We all were. We wanted nothing more than to fight, that rush. I held her close, knowing that eventually she would learn. No one is invincible. We had learned. We saw friends fall, friends who had seemed so strong, untouchable. I hugged her tight, knowing someday, she would learn the reality of what war meant. We that survived did. I held her tight.
~ _we_the_pieces_
One week after the photo or picture is posted I will pick one offering to put beneath the image. This is a way of celebrating exceptional creativity. Any and all posts are available for your creative mind to make an offering at any time (even ones where a writing has been placed on the front page like this one). If you are new here and want to offer to every image here, feel free. We are writers, WRITE!
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13 comments:
No one wants war. No one wants lives lost because of lust for land, power or racial purity.
However, when one's homeland and freedom is threatened by the lust or envy of another, there is no greater gift to humanity than one person risking or giving one's life to protect the ones who can't protect themselves. The gap between generations is sewn together with the thread of respect. Respect by the little girl intertwined with the respect of the elder. A beautiful, timeless photograph Jim.
Dan
Well said, Dan AND this is a beautiful photo...priceless message.
I held her tight, the way my father hugged me to him when he left for war. At the time, I thought nothing. I pulled away, the contact disgusting me. I didn't ever think that would be the last time I saw him. I hugged her close to me, like my mother had to me, when I had left for war. I hugged her tight, knowing soon, she would grow to be an invincible youth. I had been one too. We all were. We wanted nothing more than to fight, that rush. I held her close, knowing that eventually she would learn. No one is invincible. We had learned. We saw friends fall, friends who had seemed so strong, untouchable. I hugged her tight, knowing someday, she would learn the reality of what war meant. We that survived did. I held her tight.
We the Pieces....
Another great one. You captured the wisdom of the old marine knowing that the girl had a lot to learn but just as the marine did, she will also.
Love it!
Dan
And when the day is won
We'll forget the harm we caused
In the name of our safety.
And when the heroes return
We will honour them soundly,
But remember their foes who also lie still.
And when the bugle rings out
We will haul ourselves tall
To show that our love is the greatest weapon.
Dan,
"there is no greater gift to humanity than one person risking or giving one's life to protect the ones who can't protect themselves"
that is possibly one of the most beautifully worded insights I have heard. Really nice! And thanks!
~Molly
My 18 year old daughter just decided to join the Army on the heels of my 23 year old daughter who just got out of the Marines. I'm so proud of them but I can't help thinking the world would be so much better if they'd join the Peace Corp.
Perhaps they were influenced by me? I was in the Army, the Navy, and I work for a defense contractor.
Anyway, like I said, I'm proud of her decision and grateful to all who serve!
I'm not your Dad, I know
But I knew your dad
And he wanted me to hug you
For him
Angie,
No, I do not want you to delete this post. It is a beautiful piece of writing that fits well with the theme of the photograph and the prompt. And while I would always like you to write fresh from the prompt, if you have written previously that fit and want to offer it here I will never turn away wonds offered honestly and with such beauty.
I want this site to be an inspiration for good writing and that is what you have offered here. That is always something to celebrate.
Laura Jayne
Thank you, Laura Jayne.
Thanks for bending the rules! ;)
This is a wonderful site filled with marvelous inspiration.
~Angie
Laura Jayne--I just wanted to let you know I deleted this poem because I submitted it on they require the poems to be "withdrawn" from blogs.
Thank you for such wonderful prompts!
~Angie
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