Every Soldier Needs A Soul: Poems of a Soldier 3

"Every Soldier Needs A Soul: Poems of a Soldier 3" by David McDonald is a remarkable collection of war poetry. It's the last in a trilogy by this poet, who began writing poetry as part of the treatment for his combat related post-traumatic stress disorder following his many years of service in the armed forces. It marks a return home of the soldier. We tend to associate war poetry only with the World Wars and long-dead poets such as Wilfred Owen, but it is still an active genre today as, unfortunately, we're still fighting wars. "Is this what is man's achievement ...?" asks the poet in 'An Ending', and he goes on to say 'Can we not find better use, find peace ..."? If only we could. Soldier-poets like David McDonald remind us in the powerful, concentrated language necessary for poems of the horrible suffering that wars inflict, both mentally and physically on victor and vanquished alike.
There are poems in this book about the supporting women at home, the brave child at her father's funeral, burying a brother, an old soldier ending up on the streets, flashbacks and unseen injuries, to give a very few examples. These poems range widely in style and content, from anger to love, from the fanciful to the downright gritty, from the horrific to the charming and witty. My own favourite is "An Angel is Waiting for You" in which the poet describes how an angel will look after a soldier who has died in action "with gentle care".
You have to read McDonald's poems. They're modern, heartfelt, imaginative, entertaining and skilful. You'll understand that "a soldier is not different to you", just someone doing a job where he is trained "to do the worst that a man can". It's a tough lesson but so beautifully taught by this poet.



Tell My Rose

Don’t let my Rose hear of how I died, lying alone on this cold hill
Tell her that I died surrounded by friends, quietly and peaceful and still
Don’t tell her off the human horrors surrounding me where I lie
Speak gently when you say to her I spoke her name and gently cried

No mention of the bullets that tore at me or the shrapnel in my spine
Just the hushed mention of a death that was painless, mercifully short on time
Spare the thought of the blood I have lost no mention of the leg that’s not there
Speak with kindness and clarity tell of a kind nurse who stroked my hair

I want my Rose to remember the man she loved without restrain
She should always have the memories of me passing away without pain
Then I can face what painful death my God has set aside for me
I can wait until I die and then watch my Rose from above where I’ll be

A Heart Without Words

I read poetry with a passion and that can sometimes be difficult with what is on the market in current times, too many repetitive themes and styles with little in the way of real passion.

This Poet however is not in that league and finding his book and reading it was an emotional experience on a level I have scarcely endured, David McDonald writes from experience and opens his heart indeed his very soul. The poem “GOODBYE” pulled at every sinew of the heart leaving me bleeding the tears of regret for the words, “SPRING” on the other hand was a joyous discovery of a new beginning.

War Poetry is not easy to read but GOOD War Poetry is a privilege, when written by someone who has served and lost friends it is an honour to see his words so beautifully, sometimes painfully, written for the reader.

A full 5 stars and thank you for the book, I look forward to reading your others.


Debris of battle

Black waves crashing onto the beach, a moon shivers in the cold
The sea sends wave sighing, this a sight that has grown so old
Lapping on the sands in anger, the moon bright and sad at the scene
An ocean of rage surging onwards, how often has this horror been?

Salt water laps at the bodies, so many lay still only moved by the waves
Almost you think the waves move them, an effort for lives they may save
The debris of battle seen then gone, waves wash over and recede in disgust
Dead machines sit still on the sand, waiting for the march of the rust

The moon picks shadows in grotesque scenes, appalled that this still occurs
How often will the view lay out on the beach, can this be what man prefers
A sadness flows back out to the sea, death carried back by each wave
To be held in eternity for all to see, futility from dead and from the brave

Walk like MADD for Dan & Larry

Please join/donate to the Dan & Larry Team: Walk like MADD for Dan & Larry

On April 30, 2011, a man's choice to drive drunk took the lives of two GREAT MEN. Our husbands, Dan Gambardella and Ilario (Larry) Scuteri, were on their way to work when their car was struck and driven off the road by an illegal immigrant drunk driver. Sadly, our husbands died instantly. On that morning of April 30, 2011, our lives as we knew them were gone, changed forever in an instant. Along with our husbands, parts of us died that early morning too. Our lives have been altered forever. We are left to pick up the pieces and try to create a "new normal" for our children. A new normal our children never wanted.

Last year, we walked along with many of you only 5 weeks after Dan and Larry were killed while we were still on AUTO PILOT. At this years WALK on Saturday, June 2, we ask that you walk with us in WALK LIKE MADD in MEMORY OF DAN AND LARRY and for a cause we, unfortunately, know the VALUE of. In the last 8 1/2 months we have lived with the DEVASTATION that drunk driving leaves behind for the family of the victims. We now know what it is like to look in our children's eyes and see a look of deep sorrow and pain. A look, as mothers, we want to 'make all better' but this is something we, even as mothers, can't fix or 'make better' for our children.

In these last 8 1/2 months, MADD has supported us on this overwhelming, scary and painful journey and has provided insight into the world of the Nassau County Criminal Court System for which we are now a part of and for which we continue to fight for justice for Dan and Larry.

We walk this year again for Dan and Larry in hopes to raise enough awareness about the dangers of drunk/drugged driving. We pray to put a stop to this! Drunk driving is a CHOICE PLEASE CHOOSE NOT TO DRINK/DRUG AND DRIVE. We can not save our husbands' lives but we can help save others. The drunk driver may have silenced Dan and Larry on that fateful morning but he will NOT SILENCE SANDY AND I. We will continue to seek justice for Dan and Larry. We ask that you walk and/or donate to join Sandy and I so that the VOICES of the victims of drunk driving will be HEARD.

With Love, Linda Gambardella and Sandy Scuteri
see link: Walk like MADD for Dan & Larry

Why People Should Rent Jumpers From Fantasy Jumperz in San Jose

When you think of fun you think of good friends and family. And when friends and family gather, you want all the fun you can have. That's who Fantasy Jumperz is...family. Because at Fantasy Jumperz we care about you and we know how to create fun!

Fantasy Jumperz is the premiere San Jose jumper rentals business around. We saw an opportunity, in a niche, which quite frankly needed some help. We pride ourselves in not only providing a diverse arrangement of jumpers but most importantly, for providing a great detail to customer service. Our pricing is very affordable and the quality of all our selection is second to none.

We offer a no-hassle cancelation policy and we strive to make our customers happy. We are not saying that we are the best San Jose bounce house rentals in the world, but we are one of the best, if not the best here in the great city of San Jose, California. This is due to the excellent quality of our products and a staff whom is very knowledgeable in creating a fun environment for your next gathering. We will work with you personally to ensure that whatever the occasion is, it will be a success. 

What distinguishes us from other San Jose jump house rentals is that we treat all of our customers like family. If you are not satisfied, we will do anything we can to make it right for you. All phone inquiries are answered at our San Jose location and all your questions are answered by professionals whom take pride in providing you with nothing but the best. 

Make the kids happy this year by bringing the fun to them. They will surely thank you at the end of the day for making their occasion a huge success. Just think of the smile that you will see on them, and their invited guests as they jump up and down one of jumpers.

Don't forget about the adults either. If you really want to make it an enjoyable event, then transform your average occasion into a fun-filled entertaining one. You will surely enjoy being in one of our interactive games like the dunk tank.

What's that I hear...you have more guests than you thought you would and nowhere for them to sit at. Well no problem, just pick up the phone and order from our selection of tables and chairs.

At Fantasy Jumperz we strive to provide only the best for our family...you our customer. So what are you waiting for, pick up that phone or send an email. We will get right in contact with you and begin planning what will be sure to be the most fun you will ever have.

Kegel Exercises for You

Kegels have been used for years to address many different problems. These are problems that relate to urinary control and other issues with the pelvic area. Both women and men use these to address their issue. Kegels were developed by Dr. Arnold Kegel.

Many people have found great benefits from doing these. One of the common kegel exercises benefits is to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. The uterus, bladder, and bowels can benefit from doing these exercise. Pregnant women are often encouraged to do kegel exercises during pregnancy.

The exercise can be done at home or practically wherever you are. This is because there are discreet ways to perform these exercises. Learning the specific benefits to kegel exercises can provide you with terrific health benefits. It is important to learn about these options when you are having certain physical issues like urinary incontinence.

Researching the facts about kegel exercises for women and male kegel exercises is one way to learn about their benefits. This is another way to determine whether they are right for you. Here are some of the facts that are related to this style of exercises:

Why are these needed?

The fact that pelvic floor muscles lose their strength is one of the reasons that many opt for pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy. Women most often have these types of problems. Pregnancy is one of the factors to consider here. This along with childbirth can play a role in this weakening of muscles. Aging is another factor in this process. Problems with urinary control are other reasons why many choose to do these exercise.

Some people choose these exercises in order to avoid other problems. There are specific conditions related to the weakening of the pelvic floor. One of these is called Pelvic Organ Pro-lapse. This condition is caused when the pelvic muscles move towards the vagina area. Intercourse related problems may also develop as a result of this weakening. These exercises are instrumental when it comes to these conditions.

How to do these Kegels?

One of the first things you will need to do is to determine what is the pelvic floor. Once this has been determined you will also need to practice relaxing and contracting them. This is an essential part of performing Kegel Exercises properly. There are a number of different ways to perform kegels. Let’s take a look at some of these common methods.

1 - Use charts to locate pelvic floor muscles

2 - Practice relaxing and contracting muscles

3 - Contract for a certain amount of seconds

4 - Relax for the same number of seconds

5 - Continue over time building up the seconds

Tips to follow

There are a number of useful tips that many people use for these kegel exercises benefits. These tips tend to make this process more effective. One tip is to focus on contracting and relaxing these muscles and not your abdomen. This requires a certain amount of focus when you do your pelvic floor exercises. Along with this process you must remember to breathe regularly. Holding your breath is not recommended with these exercise. A great tip for those who need these exercises is to repeat them several times per day. You can do these exercise up to three times a day or more if you would like.

Many people see results over a short period of time when doing Kegel exercises. Each case, however, will be different. This process will require both dedication and time. Various urinary incontinence problems can be solved or improve through these exercises. This is one of the reasons that they have been successful for years.