Melissa L. Phillips

Enid, OK, USA

Melissa Phillips, age 30, served in the military for 7 years. She served 5 months in the Middle East during Desert Storm. Melissa received a letter of recognition and appreciation from President Bush in 1991 for poetry written during the war. All of this poetry was published in local papers. She says, "I have always enjoyed poetry—in grade school, high school, and college. I have an Associates of Arts degree and a graduate of Paralegal Studies with a specialty in Civil Litigation. Also, I am a licensed emergency Medical Technician. I believe that poetry is expressions of the soul. I enjoy sharing poetry with others and I would love to receive letters."

E-mail at: cprivitt@hit.net

Lean On Me

Compassion, understanding, a hand held out
to save me, to bring me to rain, in a desert drought,

Leaning a shoulder when I cannot stand
guiding me to Faith and to the promised Land.

Refusing to let me give up, you don't let go
or let me fall when tribulations come blow after blow..

Your effort to soothe me and dry up my tears
is like walking me through darkness conquering my fears.

When I'm overwhelmed, depleted, too tired to fight,
You remind me that even in darkness there is Always God's light.

Such a dedicated, true, loyal friend you are,
I want to say "Thank You," even though from afar.

Than you for being there day after day-
If ever you need me; I'll be there . . . somehow . . . someway.

A Soldier's Poem

There is a time when sounds of war will ring
And songs of Liberty and Freedom we will sing.

As the brave soldier stands at the point of fight,
he or she may fear for what is right.

For the reasons of war; land, power, hunger or greed,
We know to maintain peace, I guess "War" is what we need

So as the soldier stands at the eye of his enemy,
He shoots the enemy down and prays for his eternity.

Only God knows who is right or who is wrong
but with God's strength our country shall stand strong

And for the lives that suffered, we will mourn
Because of them our flag shall not be torn!

Let us learn and remember the important of peace,
And pray to God for this War to cease!

"Desert Storm 90-91"
A mission never to be forgotten"

War Is Hell

I have seen, I have heard, I have learned
as I watched destruction of cities as they burned

There were people crying in anger, agony, and fear
And my heart thrust as danger came near.

Wondering what will happen to those suffering I see,
I tried to analyze why this all has to be.

Close to death, I feel I've seen it all,
Thankful it has yet been my time for God to call.

Staring amongst all the remains, planting my memory
It wasn't possible to grasp the feeling of victory

Looking at death leaves me no impression peace has been worry,
Only that our mission and battle is over and done.

So I gathered my thought's of the story I'd tell.
But decided it's quite simple; WAR IS HELL!

15 April 91