John Allen Poetry
These poems are created by John Allen, a Vietnam veteran currently living in the Antelope Valley.

CHASING RAINBOWS:I was driving on 180th Street, on
Monday Dec. 18th, when I happened to look in the passenger side mirror and saw
the most beautiful sight you could ever imagine.  I saw the brightest rainbow
ever.  I made a U-turn to get a better look.  I looked to my left and I saw tho
other end.  That's when I wrote this poem.                                      
                                   12-18-12

CHASING RAINBOWS
I gazed upon a
rainbow, from end to end.
Marveling at Nature's colors, as they
wonderfully blend.
I saw this, as the rain poured
down;
and I'm smiling, with a disappearing
frown.
It seems I'm surrounded by Nature's
surprises,
as they appear large or small, and many more
sizes.
I shouldn't be surprized, by what I see,
because
Nature provides these, all for free.
I should chase this
rainbow, because I'm told,
at the end of the rain, is a pot of
gold.
NO TITLE:  This rhyme I wrote awhile back.  Since I've been with group, my mind is totally BLOWN!  I'm totally inspired!

NO TITLE
I come here, on a weekly basis;
and have discovered a stress-free oasis.
My nervous system is under control,
since my anger is no longer presenting it's toll.
Anger has controlled most of my life,
which may have coused my losing a wife.
Veterans' strength supports me in all I do,
Especially during those times, I haven't a clue.
I'm blessed with this stress-free oasis
as I look at my brothers and their smiling faces.

IRONY:  I wrote this sitting in the parking lot of the AV Vet Venter.
                                                                                                      02/26/13
IRONY
Often it's said, that the odds can't be beat.
Watch out for me, I refuse to retreat.
I awake daily to a new task,
He gave me life and in His Glory I bask.
I hustle daily,. trying to get it right.
So the good I do stays in the light.
I don't hang idle, waiting for handouts,
you can confirm this by raucous shouts.
I work hard, at things I'm righting,
so when it's my time, I'll go out fighting. 
OUR HERO: This poem was presented to Gerry Rice, Readjustment Counselor at the Antelope Valley Vet Center.             12-17-2011

OUR HERO
Our heroes, aren't always pointed out;
ever aware, we still look about.

For us, they are always there;
full of compassion, showing they care.

Our heroes show up, without fuss,
ready to listen, help, and direct us.

For our hero, his work is our life
as he helps ease much of our stress and strife.

We give him our praise, because it's due.
because he's the best in our view!

Within this group, he's who we prefer,
since we're living better.  Did it ever occur?
Veteran's Day 2011                                                  November 11, 2011

Veteran's Day, for me, has now changed
because somehow, my life has been rearranged.

I'm now involved with a down to earth group
which is four stars above "F Troop."

I'm healing because of what the group brings;
ans I'm even allowed to unload a few things.

I'm a surviving veteran, I say this out loud;
because of the Group, I now stand proud.

For me, Veteran's Day is quite great;
because the government no longer controls my fate!
Soldier's Wife                               12/22/12
This was written about a very special person.  She appears yet shy and a thinking machine.  So I won't mention her name.  That's alright because I know who she is and have shared in her magic.  That makes me proud and thankful.
While transferring my thoughts onto paper,
I'm thinking of a person, grand scheme or caper.
I won't mention this person by name;
because I'm watchful, she controls the game.
She has a heart of gold, knows about caring.
One's cought in her magic, learns about sharing.
She married a veteran, and hung in there tight;
and one of the reasons, she controls the fight.
Living with a vet is no easy task.
If you have questions of her, you should ask.
She hung by her husband, through better or worse,
and from her mouth, never, no words spoken terse.
As a wife she's top notch and devine;
and as pioneers go, she's top of the line.

My Mortality                                          12-19-13
This next thought came to me during my real time of severe flu, or whatever it was.  I had real fear of mortality, and didn't want to deal with the VA.

As I'm wandering through life, and wondering why
so many of us are afraid to die;
And as I'm wandering and searching for truth,
I look in the mirror and see living proof,
that He gave us life, upon this earth;
and a chance to do right, from our birth.
We among all animals, were given Free Will,
that we've used against others, as their blood we spill.
We can improve our existance, maybe lessen our Fall;
since death is definite, as it comes to all! 
Not Quite
Even though you are miles away,
there's still so much I'd like to say;
Things, I know, that you have heard,
some of which were really quite absurd.
You already know that I'm thinking of you,
to see you would enhance my view.
Constantly, my thoughts ore of you, and yet
this is as close to love that I'll get.
Love Planter
You have imprisoned me with your vision,
as I stumble now, with indecision.


Is this love won or love lost?
And am I prepared to pay the cost?


Because true love is what I need;
and it's you, who plants the seed.


In your life I wish to be a part.
Besides the fact, you've stolen my heart.
A Rare Beauty                                               12/19/12
She has eyes, that see through the dark;
so what I am expressing is not a lark.
Also, her smile lights up the sky.
If you stare into them, you'll see why.
She has this because she's a rare beauty,
loving her, a most pleasant duty.
She shares a kindness to every living soul'
and the reason, seeing her makes me whole.
As fate would have it, I can only look,
yet she'll always be number one in my book!

Why Violence                                                         11/29/12
Sometimes my day goes trudging by,
and during these times I'll ask myself "why?"
Why so much violence pases through this world.
As another person's anger is readily unfurled.
And why so many others, just like them;
are allowed to perpetrate their anger, at a whim?
It's wrong, them thinking their anger is okay;
and not allowing others to have their say.
Too many people wake up hating their jobs,
and if you offer them help, they become snobs.
I've come to realize that life isn't a trial.
so, I'm blessed, and awake daily with a smile.


One Good Woman                                12-18-12
I'm not the person that I used to be;
and the women I loved, were more thatn three.
Like a drug; they should have said no,
and slowed me down, and curbed my show.
Two most improtant women, my mother and wife,
denied my love and complicated my life.
I dated many women, because they were there;
and my denied love was theirs to share.
I was good to them and loved them all;
and became the reason for my fall
because all I wanted was to be loved,
Since my mother and wife, me, they easily shoved.
I'm alone now and not liking it much,
because one good woman, I'm longing to touch.


Hopeful
I sit across  at this dining room table,
blessed and proud that I am able


to look deeply into your eyes,
as the truth flows freely, without any lies.


My heart grows heavy as I speak the truth
of my wasted years, and misspent youth.


As I sit here, gazing at you,
what I speak, you know, must be true.


So allow me to bask n your charms
and come into my waiting arms.



Only In My Dreams
Sitting beautifully before my eyes'


sits a woman, a ray of sunshine.
Oh, how I wish that she was mine.


She's pleasant company, and smiles with pride.
She's the one I want by my side.


She's open and honest, down to earth.
Inside my heart she's causing rebirth.


Despite my thoughts and what it seems,
she's only mine in my dreams. 

Still Wondering                                        11/11/13

I'm sitting here and wondering why;

so many of us had to die.

We fought with fear and gave our all.

If you have doubts, go see the wall!

We are Americans, and veterans, too;

and still we don't understand America's view.

We learned to cope, as we survived,

holding much inside as we thrived.

We still have questions but it's answers we need;

and not what politicians spew and feed.

Yet, I thank all veterans, on this day;

because they've helped me find my way.