'Brave'

This piece was written as a tribute to our World War 1 forefathers on both sides of the tragic madness referred to as ‘The Great War.’ 100 years have past since the prime of a world’s youth and in many cases their fathers, were sacrificed in the call to arms. In this centenary, descendants from all sides of that conflict have attended the numerous memorial remembrance services throughout our modern world, as friends. Perhaps, 100 years on, our descendants will continue to always stand together remembering that they exist only because their forefathers were spared from the horror that was this war. I for one, owe my life to my Grandfather who returned, unlike so many of his friends who fought and died and like their adversaries, were all…

‘Brave’      

 

They told them to be brave

Beyond their fears,

beyond all that could be lost

Be brave, though burning hope

will always have its cost

Yes they were so, so very, very brave

Beyond shaking, unsure hands that tried

to hold on, to be strong, to charge, not justify

Brave in death,

beyond the doubt within their eyes

 

But for war, but for politicians,

and tears long cried

such cruel, futile acts,

would surely never have applied

Be brave they said,

we each take turns, to die!

In war, young boys to men

all die in disbelief and pain

In twisted broken pieces,

youthful bravery is slain

 

In tribute to the fallen

of every senseless war

we stand in poignant silence

remembering those who went before

Yet we, can only imagine

what you felt and what you saw

Be brave they told you

time and time again

as they lined you up as targets

not living breathing men

What have we learned from history

when it comes to war?

And all the pain of trying

to survive beyond - As you were before

Be brave, it’s all in the fine print

God is on our side

Be brave, be strong

be all you can be, to die with pride

 

And now they tell me, to be brave

But I know they are really telling me

to be far more than they could be

I see deadly doubt behind their eyes

and shaking of unsure hands that try

to be brave, to be strong, to just defy

the odds to be, far more than they could be

To hold on, to hope, it’s flame, to always see

Go now kill or be killed, proud to suffer all

but die with honour - As you bravely fall

 

Why Lord do you ask, such things of me?

The honour in death I cannot see

when lives are wasted - Taken inconsequentially?

All brave, we were like they, so very brave

to sacrifice all else, we could ever be

Why God, do both sides pray to thee?

For without this war…in happy peace

Who really is - My Enemy?       

 

 *~ Rob Welsh ~

  (100 years on)

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