War is Not for Lovers
Over the top my beautiful boys
The sergeant major cried
Think of your mother, your sweetheart
And remember them
When thunder cracks around your head
And fear burns your insides
And Tommy did
He remembered her hand
In desperation, a talon
Crushing, clinging to his wrist
Cold as the ever stabbing wind
He remembered her eyes
Once beautiful and full of life
Frightened now and tired
Like those of some caged wild animal
He remembered how
Twelve months ago
He had held her in his arms
And kissed away a single tear
As the engine whistle blew
Be brave he said
I love you
And think of me till I return
And lay down by your side
War is not for lovers
The station master cried
A moment later, the front line
Fell in unison
As if precision timed
A piece of jagged metal sang
A private groaned
And blood and mud entwined
War is not for lovers
The sergeant major cried
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Author:
Neville (
Offline) - Published: November 9th, 2019 09:54
- Comment from author about the poem: Lest we forget.... As we approach the eleventh day of the eleventh month.. I thought a further reminder about the horrors of war might be appropriate..
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 57
- Users favorite of this poem: Christina8, L. B. Mek.
Offline)
Comments8
The appropriate picture your emotive pen paints wrings tears from my eyes - - war most certainly is not for lovers my friend........... Fay
Thanking you so very much dear Fay, please excuse my delay in responding, I am currently in Valletta taking in the sun x
War is not for lovers, although lovers do fight best
As the fire that burns within our chest, would only take arms to defend the nest
I've never forgotten the first time I heard the lines, the first casualty of war, is the truth!
Beautifully written of the wars that we are still yet to learn from.
Much peace and respect
Cheers PD my friend, a much appreciated comment, excuse my delay in responding but I am in Malta taking some winter sun.... best regards to you and your family, N
You are forever excused my friend, keep taking in that well need rest!
1 more comment
War is for lovers, otherwise how else would one pen such poetry
You are most kind my friend, please excuse my apparent delay in responding, I am presently enjoying the sun in Malta.... N
A poignant write Nev.
Cheers Orchidee, much appreciated, best regards from Malta ... N
Brilliant evocative writing. Hard hitting reality. Each of the thousands who died was a loving soul of hopes, wishes, and desires..... destined to become a number history records.
Very moving.
Thanks DA, excuse the delay my friend, I am currently on holiday.... N
Very emotive write Neville, those that died were all loved by somebody.
Thanks GF60, I apologise for the apparent delay, I am currently in Malta enjoying the sun ... N
Love is anathema to pain, sadness and grief, if I read your poem well. Even if my take is a little off, it was a sumptuous read.
absolutely.. thank you kindly sir..
what a brilliant bridge, between
narrative and commentary
in a single poem,
I love your nod to Kipling's 'tommy'
as well, adding to the innate fallacy
you unmask, in your portrayal
of all-things war and divisive tyranny!
(worth, reposting
on Thursday as a timely poem
to help us all insure, we Never
take their sacrifices for granted
and always Remember, their bravery:
of the 60 million who fought
some 9 million, lost their lives,
this freedom we waste, came
at such a heavy price...)
thanks for sharing, dear Masterful Poet
I am truly delighted that you found these words and smiled down upon them and so favourably L.B ..many, & I do mean many sincere thanks to you ................... Neville
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