Friday, March 29, 2024

The Soldier Artist

April 14, 2010 by  
Filed under Poetry

I gazed at the beautiful murals of Plas Newydd, Remembering the artist, the man that created Those beautiful, vivid, bright scenes. And then I recalled another such place Equally vivid, in a much darker setting. The small fields of the Bockage Country. It’s thick hedgerows concealing heavy guns. Tanks on fire, their crews often burning, […]

The Old Brown Teapot

April 14, 2010 by  
Filed under Poetry

Standing in a Flanders Trench,the young soldier Peered into the gloom,as he waited for stand down, Which would signal the dawn,and rest from duty. His mind turned to thoughts of home. Sounds of shells, gunfire, War, Blotted out by warm caressing visions, Of a kitchen, glowing in lamp light. His Mother busy preparing tea. The […]

The Drum Head Service

April 14, 2010 by  
Filed under Poetry

The Padre assembled the Drum Head Service. The stable yard the only place of safety. We sat on the ground ignoring the frost, Listening bare headed, showing true reverence. The first hymn sung, no music of course, The Sermon followed, sensibly short. The Padre was also feeling the cold. Preaching something about God on our […]

The Brothers

April 14, 2010 by  
Filed under Poetry

In the middle of a brew, reinforcements arrive. Just twelve young men, we expected more, For casualties had been many that day. They drank their tea, looked around.and smoked. All so young – just boys – tomorrow men! Reading their names on the movement list, I searched for the one I hoped had not come. […]

So Many Dawns

April 14, 2010 by  
Filed under Poetry

Childhood dawns frosted and sparkled, To be gazed at in wonder, Through windows closed and spider web patterned, When the cold could not be endured any longer, Back to the warmth of blankets and siblings. Teenage dawns, shadow dispersing, secretive, Streaks of light smiling on young loves, Even dawns were once young, always creative. The […]

Nurse Edith Cavell – Heroine

April 13, 2010 by  
Filed under Poetry

A nurse brave and true, In war accused of spying. Found guilty in a foreign land, Sentenced to be shot at dawn. She died a heroine to all. Nurse Edith Cavell, was shot for helping allied soldiers to escape during World War One. Before facing the German firing squad she stated,”Patriotism is not enough, I […]

For Those Shot For Cowardice

April 13, 2010 by  
Filed under Poetry

Their voices echo down the years, demanding justice: “It’s the noise, echoing, rebounding in the muddy trenches, The shells continuous, shrieking, exploding in front and rear.” “I just wandered off, not knowing who, or what I was” “I’m not afraid to die, it’s living in this hell, that causes the problem – I start to […]

Dunkirk Disaster

April 13, 2010 by  
Filed under Poetry

Beat the drum louder, pipe the pipes faster. That is the way to drown out disaster. The soldiers all huddled on sand dunes. They had been fighting for days, without sleep. They marched and they fought, in retreat and advance, To end up on a beach, and wait for a boat. Shot up, bombed, and […]

Dead – Not Dishonoured

April 13, 2010 by  
Filed under Poetry

At four in the morning, the shelling restarted. Their shrieking and screaming, the only sound heard. Stand to at five, advance at five thirty. Knee deep in mud the soldiers waited, To hear the whistle, the command to advance. The young lad waited, head bowed, trembling. Praying “Please lets go – get out of this […]

Dawn Encounter

April 13, 2010 by  
Filed under Poetry

One hour before light in the Soldier’s dawn, Minute sounds slip by unheard, Inthe cold stillness of frost. A rodent rustles as he hurries home. A bush stirs in a whisper of wind. The Soldier sits tight,awaiting the light. Then he sees the Cavalry lined up in front. The first sun streaks on their uniform […]

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