The blades are stirring, spinning round.
The helicopters come.
Far off a whirring, droning sound,
A target has succumbed.
A napalm strike lights up the sky,
A yellow haze enshrouds.
People fall and people call,
Within this yellow cloud.
They cough and burn and cry in pain,
Relieved by deaths embrace.
As skins peel off and lungs collapse,
Our foe, he has no face.
My eyes they burn, my sight is gone,
And so my senses numb.
Is this death and my last breath,
Or is there more to come.
I hear a distant whirring sound,
The helicopters leave.
Everyone I know is dead,
And no ones left to grieve.
Was the cause I fought in vain?
Did I believe a lie?
Our leaders promised hope and peace,
Then left us here to die.
Author notes
This poem is on my Gothic Tales CD, to hear it, go to http://www.archive.org/details/NapalmStrike
In a list
A contest entry
- Take Me Back to the 20th Century Wars by Nicolette Everett.
700 points, ended December 8, 2007, 12 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Shape of Impact by Gossamer Guile.
900 points, ended December 20, 2007, 25 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Happy Birthday To Me 2 [for those with me on their favourites!] by Symphony.
530 points, ended November 18, 2008, 4 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Military by misticmoonlite.
675 points, ended February 16, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - The Vietnam War by Sky Prince Ireland.
1000 points, ended June 18, 17 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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Amazing!
One of my all time favorites of yours! Heard it read on your recording and had to come comment it! Excellent!
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Wow this is something! Intense!
Thanks for sharing and entering my contest.
Good luck.
Brian -
gothic , and very fictional, thank God!
thank you for this entry..MM
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This is fiction, you are not a Vietnam vet and no one left you to die correct?
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Such a true personification of war. Questions that know one can answer and never shall. I adore the stark truth you share here.
Az
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Absolutely amazing; that last couple of lines had such a deep meaning - almost brought tears to my eyes, thinking about it is so heartbreaking, imagining the soldiers out at war who die, and you'd wonder what their last thoughts are - and, if they think, "they sent me here to die, not to fight" or what not.
You described this so well without getting too graphically visual, or stomach turning but still left us in no doubt as to the severity of the situation! Bravo, and thank you for entering!
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This is the best war poem I've ever read. God, so moving. I have the most tender spot in my heart for vets. This is absolutely fabulous!
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Excellent Work
A very vivid, moving, and truthful poem awash with great imagery well deserving of the trophies won
see my "The Liberators" Best Wishes George -
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Hey George,
Thank you for commenting on this piece again, glad you liked it enough to comment twice, very much appreciated.
I've already read & commented your 'The Liberators' last month, was a great piece, I thoroughly enjoyed it, very powerful...
Thanks again,
Have a great weekend,
Take care,
Fritz.......
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Great imaginary work here.
Thank you for entering my contest. -
Abundant with imagery of a fire fight.
Thank you for your entry. -
Excellent Write.
This is a fantastic truthful poem good in every way
Well deserving of the trophies already won.
Best Wishes and Good Luck George. -
wow this is a moving piece, had me crying really touched me a talented piece of writing truly felt
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DAMN! This poem is outstanding. Excellent excellent imagery. Really takes a more detailed, graphic approach rather than the emotional approach. Its harsh and blunt about the evils of war and what it does to people. I like this a lot. Great write
-Thank you for your entry, Angi Terese -
WOW...your imagery is very striking, and excellent write,
Thanks for sharing this,
Luck. -
Intense !! gave me a shiver.
Congrats on the Gold and Silver
it is nice to see your work recognized
and honored.
Great write!
~Pastel
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Wonderful. This is such a horrific subject, and you turned it to make an impact. And it did. Terrific rhyme scheme. Well done.
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This piece definitely has a great rhyme to it. There is a powerful message here as well. You brought the mind of a solider to the readers mind, made them see the war & a moment in it. I think the last line you wrote really gives the poem a kick and a good set of words to close the line.
Nice job!
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