Pity Him.
The one who returns home from a war
unscathed outwardly
after seeing comrades roll over and die
or lie screaming in pain
seems to be healthy and free but he is
scarred all the same.
He tries not often to dwell on the facts
that plenty of men
turn useless with too much re-call, for
with others' blood
on hands all around courage gives way
when bad dreams
take him back time and again to some
scene where stench
of dead mates is so real he can taste it.
Some injured men
cry like a baby who is looking all ways
but cannot find
Mum,Dad or kin for relief from reality.
He whose nightly
dreams do not wake him to the peace
of that brand new
world promised by leaders whose Yes
sent myriads to
slaughter but left more to come back
bearing internally
injured minds which nobody guessed.
A veteran has to
live in the same skin as before but as
he did the things
needed back then he has a shadow to
carry now with
a weight like lead that is ever inward.
Pity him who cannot
escape nor get far away enough from
memory's terror
of yesteryear-hell, he who prays most
sincerely never
to sleep again for fighting in battle can
change any man
as being in war makes right or wrong
not very much
different to him or to other returners.
Nor will he shake
off guilt felt in coming home all in one
piece any more,
when in reality there will be no peace
for minds over again
amid friend and enemy rooted in war
that can only murder
or at best stave off effects of its maim.
-
Author:
Fay Slimm. (
Offline) - Published: January 23rd, 2018 05:55
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 69
- User favorite of this poem: Laura🌻.
Offline)
Comments7
My Dear Poetess Fay...
A very poignant write!
So sad but true! Thank
you for remembering
and reminding us of those
brave human beings who
fight on our behalf to
protect us and keep us
safe!
~Laura~
We cannot forget the results of war to some who return - thank you dear Laura for the kind comment.
Sensitive write Fay.
Thanks for your comment dear Orchi - it is as you say a sensitive subject.
War is the definition of insanity ... yet has remained a favorite pastime of man for millennia. Go figure. Your beautifully displayed poem says it well, Fay!
Oh how true your opening words in this comment Louis -- thank you for expressing more deeply the tribute to those returning from war.
Superb write. So many return with hidden scars yet they are dismissed by those in power. I have seen many like this and seem to have no way of escape from their terror in their minds.
Yes some hidden scars are so deep they stay with the victim for the rest of their life - terror indeed dear friend. Thank you for this perceptive comment.
It's already been said above - I sometimes wonder at the insanity of it all when we send our forces to far points of the globe for what appear to be unwarranted conflicts ( Iraq is the prime example) - super work Fay.
That picture went straight to my heart when I was thinking on the subject of those returning from war Michael -- we know nothing of what their consequent struggle for normal life must be -- thank you for your thoughts on the subject and glad you could relate to the message in the verse.
such a moving poem here, Fay, and I guess you covered just about all there is. a brilliant piece, well done.
Thank you Kevin - -these damaged returners need more than a tribute - and glad you could relate to the message my words tried to give.
There are no winners in any war, only losers. While I admire and am thankful for those who fight, I am also sad that in thousands of years mankind has not found a better way to deal with conflict. The saddest part is that these young men and women are the future of our country. Fay, every politician and leader should get a copy of your poem!
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