As I walk in this place of rest I find
A faded and chipped white head stone.
It has sank partially into the ground,
And the weeds around it are over grown.
At the top of it I see the outline of a cross,
Then a name, two dates, and where he served.
A soldier that died when he was too young,
Whose grave is not given the respect deserved.
Time has erased his name from our history
Now his life is just remembered by the stone,
And books telling of the wars that killed him.
There were many others, he is not alone.
All across the grave yard I see them here and there,
Some white stones, others plaques made of steal.
Names and dates etched in stone and brass,
Reminders of a nightmare that was all too real.
The sadest thing to see of all, are the newer ones,
Fancier in detail but saying the exact same thing-
A new generation of losses from greed and anger.
Such cruel deaths are still happening.
Someday, will these newer stones look the same,
As the poor, forgotten white head stones I see?
Will their lives be considered little but a 'price'
Instead of a person that was just like me?
I stoop beside the plaque that bears my great uncle's name,
And carefully brush all of the dirt and weeds away.
Such brave men and women, and this is the respect we show,
As if they were little more then reminders of a worse day.
But as long as those white head stones are still standing,
There will be a few of us to remember why they are there.
They are the blood that allows the USA to be free,
And their loss is one that we all bear.
Author notes
It always saddens me to walk in a cemetary and see all the memorials to the soldiers of world wars 1 and 2 falling apart.
A contest entry
- Please, I want your best! by Cat10.
850 points, ended May 3, 2008, 62 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Remember Our Fallen Heroes. by coffeeangel316.
850 points, ended May 18, 2008, 15 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - In Remembrance by SomeonesToySoldier.
875 points, ended June 3, 2008, 13 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - your personal best by indomitable.
600 points, ended July 7, 2008, 37 entries
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Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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this is a lovely and well written tribute to men who have died for war. the story in itself is an achingly emotional one, walking amongst graves of the long forgotten. i myself cannot abide an untended grave, ive spent hours in cemeteries cleaning weeds and dirt from gravestones. everyone should be honored in death, family or not, an untended grave shouldnt be ignored. i love the imagery and words used here, they paint a clear picture in my mind, a quality i admire.
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Such an emotional and loving poem. You have hit the way it is on the head of the nail. These brave men and women are only remembered by a stone and forgotten by those that enjoy the freedom their sacrifice gave.
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I've never been so unfortunate to come across the graves of soldiers that have been neglected. Maybe its because of the tradition in this area and the fact that no one would dear disrespect the graves of those who have served.
Now as far as your poem goes I'm going to make a suggestion. First try evening out the flow of the poem. Its kinda choppy and takes away from the beauty of the poem itself. Other than that you did an awesome job. Keep up the good work and thanks for entering this awesome poem into my contest.
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I do so agree. The men that served us and died for our freedom, now lay with dingy headstones. It was an awesome write. I really think you did a good job.
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thanks for entering! yeah, it is sad to see all of those...my grandpa served in WWII, but thank goodness he didn't die there...but he's no longer here with us anything either..
anyway, great write! and good luck
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