The Valor of Common Men

6 Comments

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Challenged myself to write a poem to describe a great American painting.  Came up with Washington Crossing The Delaware by Emanual Leutze, a true American Classic.

The Valor of Common Men


Gallantry personified, heroic
Emersed in battle, a dawn's patriotic war.
Offered freely bereft pride or ego,
Rebel rousers, common men, valiant to their cores.
Gauged in strength, adorned in condemnations,
Endured hardships, condemned nation shorn alibi.
Wanting annexation from ardent guardship, wading until morn.
Agonizing, freezing - incessant rowing, arduous and long,
Standing tall, an imminent figurehead, leaning forward, undeterred.
Headed onward toward immortality, pitched on distant, hostile shore.
Impressively commanding, sheer presence stone stoic and regal,
Never a loss of focus, forever mindful of postulate vista,
Gorged with determination, forged with courage and valor raw.
The purge of Aristocracy, the birth of a new America,
Original 13 colonies, aligned to encourage and engage in war.
Nation of united brethren, stated freedom the price they bore.


Copyright © September 2009
Kevin Mooney

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susanismith commented on The Valor of Common Men

05-01-2010

Great o' George Washington and the beginning of our great Country.

knight4696 commented on The Valor of Common Men

10-09-2009

Kevin- What a tribute to the colonists and our founding father - I love that you are able to write with such style. Good Ole George would be proud. I have one poem that is not historical, but is written in this style, and yes it it definately challenging! It's called "Indecision" - A lame attempt however, in comparison to yours. :) But, an attempt ... nonetheless.

ginga commented on The Valor of Common Men

09-20-2009

Mooney, What a heroic poem to give tribute to a time in our history where the colonies had to protect their freedoms and many colonists lost their lives that we should all live. Wonderful use of words and imagery! ginga

MrGee commented on The Valor of Common Men

09-20-2009

The line Original 13 colonies brought to my mind such names as John Adams, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock and from New Jersey, John Witherspoon. This is to name only a few. Also, the poem reminds me of a paper I wrote while attending The College of New Jersey regarding the assembling of the Continental Army. Also, the Battle of Trenton is considered by historians as the turning point of the revolution war. Well, written poem, however, I have come to expect that from you.

StandingBear commented on The Valor of Common Men

09-20-2009

Not only have you answered your Great American Painting challenge, you could interchange the pic from the UPA Statue of Liberty challenge presently going on. Great patriotic write.

Poetry is what is lost in translation.

Robert Frost (1875-1963) American Poet.

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