I was not there when war began
but still I lay my wreath today...
I did not hear the goodbyes
of bewildered offspring,
or the sound of their tears
as they wept each night,
missing Mum, Dad, or Gran;
evacuees – sent miles away
to safety, or so they believed.
I did not see the tortured face
nor hear the silence – that break
in a mother’s voice, who’d lost
a son, brother or husband,
nor hear the screams of those
who’d lost limbs, eyes or both,
nor strive to ease their sobs
that racked heaving shoulders.
I did not smell the stale stench
of fear, as it wafted through
the bomb-site round the corner;
a burnt-out home, school or mission,
hung with pictures – words of hope
from youngsters long-gone; so much
charred and blackened debris,
blowing in the wind.
I was not there when war ended;
all I know – the peace it left behind.
Comments
Kahdai | November 15, 2010 - 14:39
Wow Tina this is very good, yet also so sad, everyone I knew were in the war, always talked about the end and after the war, I think thats good that thats what they remember not all the bad memories, great ending. K xx
Silver Spun Sand | November 15, 2010 - 14:43
Thanks so much for reading, Kahdai. I am pleased it meant something to you;-)
Tina xx
Kahdai | November 15, 2010 - 15:00
:)
Margharita | November 15, 2010 - 17:54
Brilliant last two lines. Really made me think, as in - are there other ways of achieving that peace, do the people who were in the war think the peace was worth the sacrifice... Made me think of the Kohima Epitaph: 'For their tomorrow, we gave our today'.
Great piece.
Silver Spun Sand | November 15, 2010 - 17:57
My thanks to you, Margharita for your thought provoking words...a haunting quote, most certainly.
As to your question, there are more answers, I guess, than there are fish in the sea.
Thank you again;-)
Tina
MistakenMagic | November 15, 2010 - 18:06
Love the haunting imagery of that penultimate stanza, Tina! A very beautiful and moving poem. Well done!
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | November 15, 2010 - 18:17
More than grateful to you, Magic;-) Pleased you enjoyed.
Glad to see you are back safely and the best of luck with all those essays.
Tina xxx
Highhat | November 15, 2010 - 23:10
Pity we only know peace because of wars isn't it!
Glad you put this on the site Tina- I like your provokative and mind wrenching poems. Well done
;)Pia
Silver Spun Sand | November 16, 2010 - 09:41
Thanks, Pia. Much appreciated;-)
Tina
shoe | November 16, 2010 - 19:49
I think you have encapsulated what it is we are to be thankful for. a fine poem and a fine message.
rjnewlyn | November 16, 2010 - 19:56
I think it expresses very well that slightly confusing (but as old as the hills) act of remembering something we can't (in a sense) remember .
Rob
Silver Spun Sand | November 16, 2010 - 20:00
Shoe - you words too encapusulate the message of this poem well, and I thank you for them.
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | November 16, 2010 - 20:02
And how well you put this, Rob;-) A past-master of words, as you are. My thanks to you.
Tina
Kahdai | November 16, 2010 - 22:18
nor strive to ease their sobs
that racked heaving shoulders
ah ii read it agian ;) K
kheldar | November 30, 2010 - 23:14
A wonderful piece Tina, I love the way the opening and closing lines reflect each other and also the way they frame the horror of war in between.
:--) xxx
Silver Spun Sand | December 1, 2010 - 11:24
Thank you, David. You have such a way with words, but I think I have told you that before;-)
Tina xxx