Semper Find The Cost of Freedom
Updated: May 29
This poem has an interesting provenance. Someone reached out to me. She is a sergeant in the Marines. And her Marine husband died overseas recently. I checked out her photos on instagram and Tik-Tok. And I just felt compelled to write this.
Well soon something didn't sit right with me based on the conversation and I realized this was an imposter. Blocked/Reported. But interestingly something good came out of it.
As I wrote it, I was reminded of two songs.
Dress Blues by Jason Isbell (Zac Brown version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGH5sfk1L_c)
The other was Find The Cost of Freedom by Crosby, Stills, and Nash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwBPomwvegc
Semper Find The Cost of Freedom
you were my partner
you were my love
you were the father of my children
you always will be
your heart beats in them
as it beats in me
intertwined with my flesh and blood
fused with my heart
i miss you
i miss you
i miss you
i miss you
i miss you so so much
i miss you to the depth of my soul
and sometimes i don’t know how i am going to make it without you
even though i must
i must
i am strong
semper fi strong
but babe…
the truth is i was stronger with you
sharing my burden
while i put on my armor
to show i am strong
we know strength isn’t peace
and i breakdown weak
wishing you were next to me
and it could be the way it used to be
we knew there was a danger
when you flew across the sea
seeking a peace that we all knew would not happen
because of that fucking maniac
who took you away from me
the fact that no one knows this
about you
is part of what breaks my heart
because you gave your life
so that others may live
freely and openly
and everyone gives lip service
to our service saying thank you
and making themselves feel good
but they have no idea of the pain and void
left behind
i will persevere
because i must
our two beautiful children will grow up
knowing their father’s integrity and honor
and i am fueled by your undying love
occupying the fortress
that is my heart
godspeed my beautiful soulmate
and i look forward to seeing you when
my earthly light no longer shines
but until then, my love
i have to wash some clothes and get food prepared
and be a rock for our children
because they
need me
every second
of every day
even though i crumble
for you
every second
of every day
find the cost of freedom
buried in the ground
mother earth will swallow you
lay your bodies down
(c) 2022, be self evident , (c) Steven Stills