Shell Shock

Cherry

By luigi_pagano

Mon, 13 Sep 2004
  • 3895 reads
6 comments
 

I don't seem to remember
My father at all.
He went to the war
And came back in November
But he isn't the father
I knew.

My father was masterful,
I dimly recall.
This old man with a stooping
Appearance looks pitiful.
And I find myself asking:
Is it you?

I look at him trembling
As he stares at the wall
With eyes vacant, and the image
Of someone resembling
A diaphanous ghost I
Perceive.

The thousands who fell
In answering the call,
Are eternally at peace in Elysium
But some who survived suffer hell
Here on earth and
Grieve.

© Luigi Pagano

Certificate U
Poem
Cherry ripe
Other Fiction

Comments

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Hi Luigi.  What a sad and emotive poem. I am sure this is just what it is like for many families with a member in the armed forces.  My Grandad survived WW1 but my Dad told me that some ten years later he had a sort of breakdown, just vanished and was found distressed 'sitting on the ironmongers doorstep' in a sad and confused state.  Nothing changes does it?

Linda

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I agree Linda. It was a tragic situation then and, judging by recent events, wars have a deleterious effect on  human behaviour. Thanks once again for your interest.

Luigi

 

Submitted by Art of the Diver on

Excellent piece Luigi... thanks for that link.

Rob

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

You are welcome, Rob. Thanks for reading this early poem of mine. I appreciate it.

Luigi.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Luigi,

with Rememberance Day on the horizon, this would be such a good piece to put on again.

Sadly war seems to bring out the poetry in us as writers, this is such a good poem.

Jenny. xx

 

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi, Jenny. This was a one-off written to remind people of the consequences of a brutal conflict such as War World I and of how thousand of soldiers were affected.
Your kind comment is very much appreciated.

Thank you, Luigi x