BEYOND D-DAY (poem) by John Michael Domino on AuthorsDen

BEYOND D-DAY
by John Michael Domino → (All Poetry by John Michael Domino)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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With Veterans Day near, I have been interviewing WWII veterans for my next book. A WWII Army Veteran, Herbert Becke provided a first hand account of his experiences on Omaha Beach on D-Day and the days of Hell thereafter in German occupied France.

When Americans arrived at Omaha Beach on D-Day the seas were pretty rough We climbed off boats down ladders made from ropes, finding our way was tough We did not expect to see scores of dead bodies floating near that shore Eyes wide open, staring heads floating around, it haunted us even more It was a gruesome welcome as we dodged machine gun bullets coming in so very fast We showered them with grenades, sharpshooters fired back until they breathed their last Good news was most planes roaring loudly above the skies were ours and some were our allies There were hundreds flying both low and high, there were so many, they covered the skies As we crawled inland we could see Nazi gunners manning their super demonic death machines We spotted them deep within the hedge groves; they were nasty, dreadful, evil and mean Everyone had to be very careful as we slowly wound down paved streets and dirt roads This hostile land was filled with traps and mines ready to burst any second and explode I watched some very young men quickly become victims! We had to be on guard and alert! Some died in an instant! Many suffered much pain from burn wounds, some were badly hurt! I stepped near a mine and “Thank God” it was inert; then there was fire on our left flank As we entered a small town I was hit with scrannel off a round from a German Panzer tank Wounded badly, I limped into a fox hole, tended to my wounds and stayed out of sight I dared not call for help, the Germans were too close; so I huddled in that hole for the night Blood was gushing from my leg, I used my belt to stop the flow, then tried to get some rest Scared out of my wits, I prayed that if I was saved from this Hell I would always be my best At daybreak I awoke hearing familiar sounds and friendly voices, so I let out a yell “I need help, over here” and was pulled out of action and sent away from that Hell. With all death all around me, no doubt I was freed by an angel who helped me every step along the way “Thank God” for leading us through D-Day and beyond for without Him we would all be talking German today! Amen ©2014, John Michael Domino

Reviewed by Kathleen McDonald

Reviewed on November 1, 2014

The images this brings to me are sad, frightening and tearful. A very eye opening write
hug
Kathy

Reviewed by Regis Auffray

Reviewed on October 30, 2014

Sad that nothing has changed... ...seems it may never. My father was in France during WWII and was made prisoner of the Nazis. He never showed any hatred or resentment of the German people. He explained it all to me. After all was said and done, he hoped we would see peace. Sadly, that has not happened. Love and blessings to you, John.

Regis

Reviewed by George Carroll

I left my foot prints on France, Holland and Germany

Reviewed by Chip Bergeron

Very touching poem. War is always hell a nd leaves a mark, regardless of whose side you were on.

Chipb.

Reviewed by Jane Noponen Perinacci

I have tears in my eyes. God bless our soldiers and veterans!!!

Love ya!

Jane

Reviewed by Gladys Prince

Thank God, without Him all things could be worst. Well done, John.

Reviewed by John Domino

Please Note: This poem is not about me. This is about a true American Hero: Herbert Becke. Read the forward carefully. I don't deserve to be honored for something I never encountered. This happened before I was born. My father is another story. He almost died on the front lines in Northern Italy against the Germans during WWII. He deserves to be honored as well. Thank you, John Michael Domino

Reviewed by Mary Cochrane

Oh must have been awful John. Your word effect transports me right there in that hell. Thank God you were saved!
Mary

Reviewed by Mr. Ed

They were truly The Greatest Generation, and Heroes all. And one of our now departed A.D. members - Georg Mateos - was there at Omaha Beach as well.

Reviewed by Budd Nelson

so true

Reviewed by John Townsend

What a harrowing account, mentally beyond limits. How religion behaved in those days abhors me, people of the same faith killing each other. That one mans account hits home the real trust we need in God, not in phoney men, sick minds, false prophets, but God, the God of love, the God of peace. Thanks for the read of Herbet Becks account.

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton

Reviewed on October 29, 2014

My uncle fought the japs. He was marched in the Bataan Death March and was imprisoned in Japan. He was unrecognizable when he came back home. The war unhinged him. He wasn't the same man.