The Gun and the Scythe: Poetry by an Army Ranger

by Luke Ryan

This booklet of poetry, written by former Army Ranger Luke Ryan, explores the nature of violence, war, and the contrast between evil and courage found on the battlefield. War is an eternal thing, as basic to human nature as eating food, as physical as sex, and as spiritual as prayer, and these are the ideas communicated here in a way that anyone can resonate with, veteran or not.

Genres: Poetry

69 pages, Paperback

Published April 17, 2019

About the author

Luke Ryan was born in the United States, but his family moved to Pakistan when he was three years old. His father was a doctor and his mother a nurse, and they were aid workers in the northern parts of the country.
After nine years in Pakistan, they moved to Thailand, where Luke lived for five years.
After high school and some roaming around the United States, Luke joined the U.S. Army. There, he became an Army Ranger in the 75th Ranger Regiment. He went on four deployments to Afghanistan, eventually becoming a team leader.
After he left, he roamed America for a while longer, then eventually landed in Florida where he earned his bachelor's degree in English Literature.
He's since worked in all manner of media -- television, social media, journalism -- and now owns and operates a media/marketing company called Four Hawk Media.

Reviews

[Lafe Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful as to current events

Mr. Ryan's "The Enemy" could well have been written off the happenings today on our city streets and parks.

"Addicts to bitterness and indignation" pretty well sums up those who have usurped rightful protest.

[Herb Stenzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a poetry guy but I really enjoyed this
Gets to the depth of what some of us feel or have felt
Some of it I got
The rest I’m going to keep reading until I get what he is sending

[Doug Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because my experience of the world is so disparate, I earnestly appreciate the unfurled heart to the unguarded page.