I played jacks
On the concrete walk
While on the other side of outside
Men and women died in places
Anzio and Normandy and Stallingrad
I watched the newsreels
I saw the black and white bloodshed
My heart pounding and my thoughts stuttered
How exciting it must be to come so close to death
Concussion of bombs and the staccato machine of guns
My world was as innocent as it was sheltered
I walked home on the peaceful roads of rural New Hampshire
Holding hands with my best girl.
I danced slow
On the parquet gym floor
While on the other side of wayside
Men and women died in places
Ansong and Yalu and Inchon
Again I watched the newsreels
I saw the Technicolor carnage
My chest heaving and my thoughts shattered
How horrible to see such death thrown onto the snows
Scream of the wounded and the shriek of Saber jet
My world less innocent and not quite so sheltered
I drove home on the busy streets of urban Boston
Holding dreams with my wife.
I prayed now
On the padded pews
While on the other side of far side
Men and Women died in places
Mekong and Khe Sanh and Saigon
Now I watched live death in my living room
My tears falling and my prodigy sacrificed
How mind numbing it was to know that children were dying
Smell of napalm seared flesh and the chop of air cavalry
My innocence gone and my shelter deserted
I drove home from the silent stones of Arlington
Holding memories with my mate
A folded flag in her lap.
A contest entry
- Horrifying History by redmarkonthewall.
900 points, ended November 21, 2007, 16 entries
• 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
Comments
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YOU WROTE THIS WITH STRENGTH AND PAIN, THANK YOU FOR THIS ENTRY...GOOD UCK
mm
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so full of pain and sadness , you wrote this so very well.
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I'm sorry,while it's a good poem, it's not quite what I wanted in my contest(Speak out).
I wanted there, poems with strong message, with a defined meaning. But don't give up. You definetly have talent. Keep on writing. -
A lot of stuff going on here.. I was hoping for something a little more defined but you did do a good job on this very realisitic and emotional. Good job and thanks for you entry.
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