My 1903 - A poem

[maxim]

Here is a poem I wrote about the 1903. The poem can be considered public domain and you are welcome to pass it along. Perhaps it will encourage some of you to drag yours out of the closet or vault and ponder all the dents and handling marks as well earned scars of service.

My 1903

Concept in design before the Great War
Who knew what service lie in store
The best, yet even more to be
American steel, an American tree
The basic tool of freedom
This new 1903

In the hands of a Doughboy standing at guard
Cold piercing through him and feet rock hard
The Boch at a distance in yards to reprieve
It comforts his lonesome heart when he reads
The blest name of Springfield
This new well oiled 1903

Proud on the deck in the 30’s she rides
Days on the watch, it all comes in stride
The ocean slips by as this sailor grips tight
Warming the wood as mist rules the night
Peace on the earth she mostly will see
This slightly marred 1903

Back at the bench, for upgrade she gets
With many like her proudly she sets
At a dusty camp, to train a recruit
They’ll teach him right, teach him to shoot
Firing straight, he will need I believe
To route out the Hun, this 1903

Now to the Pacific some island unknown
Experienced in battle her marks are now shown
On to the fight after days under sail
In unbearable heat she’ll always prevail
Grime on her stock and steel now a-gleam
A Marine’s best friend, this 1903

Stuck in a locker in some foreign place
To see her now she feels a disgrace
Does ‘US’ on my receiver no meaning to be?
But wait, packed up and sent home by sea
We’ll find glorious use
For this 1903

I look at it now with scars of the fight
This Springfield it stood for freedom and right
Though bore is dark and sights hard to see
To change her not my feeling to be
Still ready to guard and protect is she
Though beaten and battered, this 1903

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