Burnell Raphael

Chicago, Illinois

I wrote my first "free verse" on December 24, 1929 at age nine. I have never considered myself to be a poet. "Thoughts" was published by NLP in summer of 1996. "The Hero" is to be released by NLP in late Autumn of 1996. Two more are in the process. I like classical music. I served in the United States Army Air Force - WW II. I cannot write in longhand so I have to carry the verses in my mind until they come together, then put them on the typewriter.

Thoughts

Oft times I stop and wonder,
Where with God I stand
I wonder what His purpose was
When He placed me on this land.

I wonder what I might have been
2000 years ago
When Jesus walked upon the earth
Teaching to friend and foe.

Would I have been a boatman
Fishing the Galilee
Or a greedy tax man
Collecting the governor's fee.

Perhaps, a lauding statesman
Running government affairs
Or, a tiller of the soil
Raising corn, wheat, and tares.

Perhaps He meant for me to teach,
The sinners and the poor
Leading them from darkness into light
Thru Salvation's open door.

As my thoughts wandered on
A still, small voice spoke to me
saying, "dwell in the present,
Not the past.
You are what I made you to be."

The Hero

Crossing the battlefield early today
Amidst bombs dropping, bullets flying,
I saw a soldier kneel to pray
Amongst the wounded and dying.

I could see a cross on his arm
As he knelt in the slimy mud,
He seemed not to show any alarm
Binding wounds, giving blood.

An enemy tank rumbled by
Crushing the wounded and the dead,
A soldier crying,"Am I going to die?
I'm badly wounded in my head."

The medic crawled over to him
Looked, then bowed his head in prayer,
He watched as the lad's eyes grew dim
Then covered the body with loving care.

A shell exploded at his side
Shrapnel ripped into his chest,
On the field the medic died
Thinking, "Lord, I did my best."