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From: jmg@houxk.UUCP (J.MCGHEE)
Newsgroups: net.poems,net.politics,net.flame,net.followup
Subject: A Tribute to Freedom Fighters
Message-ID: <143@houxk.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 23-Nov-83 17:37:33 EST
Article-I.D.: houxk.143
Posted: Wed Nov 23 17:37:33 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 26-Nov-83 04:50:11 EST
Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 41


	The following is an original poem which I wrote as on a spur-of-the-
moment impulse. I don't usually write poetry. But I'm presenting it here as
a tribute to Freedom Fighters around the world such as the 11,500 men who died
aboard British prison ships in New York harbor during the American Revolution.
I'm presenting it at this time to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the
British withdrawal from New York on November 25, 1783 - 1983 which is
officially called Evacuation Day.
	It is not for those who build and maintain empires nor for those who
fight to maintain the status quo nor for those who fight because they get a
good salary and pension or an extra bit of gold on their uniform, but for those
who struggle against all odds and without reward except the appreciation of the
oppressed and downtrodden people they try to liberate.

	Patriot Graves
	--------------

	When patriots fought and died to stem the tide
	Of tyrant armies strong,
	And found their grave 'neath the willow's shade
	With turf and heather for a bed,

	You'd think that they had earned their rest
	And long would sleep in the glen.
	But a patriot grave is a restless place
	With spirit strong and true.

	Before long the spirit is gone
	To find life anew.
	And a child is born with spirit strong
	That many a battle knew.

	His youthful gaze never betrays
	The cunning warrior's way,
	Till the lad is grown and again is shown
	The cause for which he died.

	And the ranks are swelled
	That will send to hell
	The tyrant's bloody horde!

			J. McGhee