For The Lives Lost In Pursuit. | Teen Ink

For The Lives Lost In Pursuit. MAG

June 28, 2008
By Edye Pucciarelli SILVER, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Edye Pucciarelli SILVER, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
8 articles 0 photos 0 comments

For The Lives Lost In Pursuit
I was born with silver-coated skin
gold coins pressed against my tongue,
blanketed in cottonwood fleece,
my initials hand-stitched
in every corner.
I had nothing to fend for –
not a life to lose for anything but myself.

My forefathers told the history books of
the parallels they crossed …
the lines they drew in separation
The waves which they sailed – waters crossed, boots laced.
Later, of the country they claimed –
crossed on foot and horseback
I cannot say I have
lived these things …
only depictions of battle in painting
whistles of anthem out of tune

Once, I ran my fingers across
my grandfather’s shelves
his weapons rested there, William
tattooed in ink across his arm.
I cannot imagine this because
I do not want to.
a time when war was everywhere …
beneath water and air
Carving death through epitaph stone
digging graves of fathers and sons
pouring their souls into holy water
We baptized a nation in blood
liberty draped a rosary through borders and monuments with
courageous intent

I pray for everything I have;
Everything given to me without
The loss of anything I own.
I pray for the rest of souls beneath my feet
Every advantage I have and did nothing to deserve …
I can assure you above all
there is no place in the world comparable
to this.


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This article has 8 comments.


on Apr. 3 2015 at 2:40 am
Iamwhoiam17 GOLD, Lake City Fl, Florida
10 articles 0 photos 48 comments

Favorite Quote:
Just be yourself,if you are happy that's all that matter's.

I love this poem. Beautifully written! It is amazing! :) Please take and rate my poetry,I will appreciate it.

on Aug. 3 2011 at 9:59 pm
bEllAhOPe BRONZE, Houston, Texas
4 articles 0 photos 21 comments

Favorite Quote:
\"Flying is simple... you just throw yourself at the ground and miss.\"

Bitter. Cruel. An interesting piece. I enjoy the passion in which it is written. Nice work.

on Mar. 18 2011 at 8:02 am
BitterSweet1993 SILVER, Bronx, New York
5 articles 0 photos 35 comments

Favorite Quote:
Love is only a dirty trick played on us to achieve continuation of the species. ~W. Somerset Maugham, A Writer's Notebook, 1949

This was jaw-dropping, goosebump giving amazement. Incredible!!

on Dec. 27 2010 at 11:20 pm
black-sapphire BRONZE, Bismarck, North Dakota
1 article 0 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I'm in a fleshy tomb, buried up above the ground.
It's no use, why should I hold on?"
-Goodbye (I'm Sorry) by Jamestown Story

woww...im not used to reading about how people are greatful for what they have..nice job..

on Aug. 4 2010 at 8:33 pm
Hoping4never BRONZE, Bowling Green, Kentucky
1 article 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
I may not change the world, but I will spark the mind of the somone who will.

If I am understanding your writing correctly, I really admire how you can write so deeply with such little pain in your life.

on Apr. 26 2010 at 9:31 pm
LostButNeverFound PLATINUM, Phoenix, Arizona
37 articles 0 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one's who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. Friends are like balloons: once you let them go, you can't get them back. So I'm gonna tie you to my heart so I never lose you.

u did an awesome job=]

Barokien GOLD said...
on Mar. 12 2010 at 5:25 pm
Barokien GOLD, Needham, Massachusetts
10 articles 0 photos 3 comments
I like the idea of how modern society is peaceful and safe compared to the war of earlier days. I especially love the baptism metaphor. =)

alisonfaye said...
on Oct. 5 2009 at 3:11 pm
AMEN, i can see this as a poem of almost greif, showing you know the history and your wouldnt do anything to change it, GREAT job, keep writing