I walk on bloody, broken legs
Death breathes into my choking lungs
My fallen brothers, so many dear
Lie in pieces scattered here
There is no warmth, no gentle sound
Just broken dreams and death abound
Is this my blood or those I've killed
Is my existence sin or skill
Does God bequeath forgiveness now
Or have I failed a sacred vow
Childhood virtue has long since died
My ravaged heart cannot abide
The
Cost
For those who've given limb and life
I remember your utmost sacrifice
I bear the words I've prayed and swore
There is a price and cost of war
-
Author:
A.H. Browning (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: March 3rd, 2022 01:54
- Comment from author about the poem: My mother's uncle was a West Point graduate and served in WW2. My father served in the Korean War, in the Airforce. Both came home in one piece, without a debilitating injury. Others paid dearly with life changing injuries or simply did not survive... did not come home at all. For those who have served, thank you for your strength, endurance and sacrifices. I am saddened and discouraged by war in every possible way. However aggressors such as Hitler, for example, who start wars to terrorize, to destroy lives or take from people, need to be forcibly stopped in my opinion. I am very thankful for those who have fought and sacrificed to stop the horrible realities forced on people by the destruction, greediness and hatred of heartless aggressors.
- Category: Unclassified
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- User favorite of this poem: L. B. Mek.
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Comments3
Why do you thank them? (your comment). Of the two wars you cite, WW2 is often cited as a ‘just war’ – and there are precious few which could even begin to whisper that claim. However, even that war has an avoidable history. Have any lessons been learn? None.
Thank you for reading and your comments. The statement that you question is a tricky one to make. I’m not thankful for war in any sense. To clarify what I am thankful for, is people who fight and sacrifice to put an end to the horrors of war. Even though WWII had an avoidable history, there came a time when that was no longer relevant because the reality was that it was here and we needed to fight to put an end to it.
I guess I should’ve explained that a little bit better in my comments. Thanks for giving me that opportunity. As a matter of fact I think I’m going to go ahead and edit my comments right now.
Kindest Regards
Yes I completely understood that you were not pro war (your fine poem made that quite clear) – yours was a tribute to those who fought. My only issue is that many are unable to separate those two different frames of reference. Remembrance ceremonies, for example, tend to sweep up the sacrifices made and construct war itself into some glorious enterprise.
I’ve quoted the following poem by A D Hope more than once, but for me it has never lost its basic truth.
Linger not, stranger; shed no tear.
Go back to those who sent us here.
We are the young they drafted out
To wars their folly brought about.
Go tell those old men, safe in bed,
We took their orders and are dead.
2 more comments
Amen!
(too heavy, a cost)
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Kindest Regards
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