War isn't something
you can sweep
out the door
and declare it done
it stays
to eat your soul
War never leaves
the dark nights
of sleep
it plays over
and over
and over
Soldiers return in pieces
dead and alive
they weep
silently
for friends
and enemies
The best they can do
is gather the parts
misplaced by orders
glue them together
and pray that soon
they might forget
With honor and gratitude to those who have served and are serving...thank you.
War Poetry for dVerse~Poets Pub
13 comments:
Lovely. I have a daughter and a SIL who are veterans and appreciate your tribute.
This was profound. My father denied the memories, preferred to forget them. But those memories affected every aspect of his life.
I hope the war veterans coming home are helped with greater understanding and treatment.
Perfect... and true and beautiful..
i think you said it all well. bless them.
I think soldiers never forget what they have seen or experienced. They still have to come to terms with it though.
The pain of war cannot exceed the woe of aftermath . . .
The Battle of Evermore
I really like this, and it sure covers the truth of war very well. I never personally knew what having your loved one in a war zone was until my nephew went to Iraq and then my son-in-law went for two tours as well. My nephew wasn't married but my son in law left my daughter and their little one behind, (they were both troopers) of course Lyra was just a baby the first time and two years old the second time but it's very hard on all members, and thank goodness (many prayers later) they both made it home in one piece, but their lives and souls forever changed.
"...in pieces
dead and alive
they weep
silently
for friends
and enemies"
This reads like gentle glue. ♥
I was as at my local VA hospital recently and was in line with a fellow who had both legs replaced by those flexable lower legs, one arm was stubbed off at the elbow and the other seemed to go down to a rubber-looking glove on what would be his right hand. I hope this appendage was temporary because he had a hard time manipulating that "hand".
I will never forget this young fellow, and this is the first time I have spoken of it.
War in US seems to be the rule rather than the exception -- at least in my 67 years. Too bad.
War never leaves the dark nights of sleep..that is true so many live with memories on replay.
Well said Gail . . .
lovely words written for those who don't speak of it at all.
Beautifully put!
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