Weapons they carry created to kill. All with the same gun, all with the same thought. They must fight to keep their lives, their homes, and their freedoms; but can they? Each one of them becoming more anxious and more nervous as mortars and bullets fly past their heads and explode around them. Every one of them wondering if they can; "cut it" when it really counts; or if they'll turn and run. They all know what must happen when they meet on the battlefield.
All around men dying in their blood and in their enemies. They all deny that they can feel the scythe of the reaper at the nape of their necks; and they continue to fight. Some fight for what they believe in, some fight because they were told to, and some fight just because they want to kill. And there are those few who refuse to fight. All around them explosions and screams can be heard; but who knows whether they are friend's or foe's. Men not knowing which way to run or who to fight. Battle is not as glorious as they thought it would be. And in the end who can say who really won?
Ready for loved ones to return; families wait by the door, but instead the starred car comes up the drive. And letters are received written by commanders. Enclosed are messages, all saying the same thing; "I was proud to serve with so and so, he fought valiantly to the very end." But do those commanders really know who they commanded? Did they know the hopes and dreams of those brave men? As family and friends read this they fall to their knees in tears...
Author notes
Written December 19th, 2003
In a list
A contest entry
- mmmsdieiwoowfw.fw9jf by Giezo.
300 points, ended April 13, 2005, 11 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - PROMPTS! PROMPTS! MILITARY! PATRIOTIC! PRE-WRITES ALLOWED. by Beautiful-N-Broken.
700 points, ended October 11, 2007, 17 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 31 of 31
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Steve
War, the littleI know about it tells me it has always been a constant & cause for some to make that total sacrifice. I can only honor them. Well done & if you can please read my poem... A letter to a friend. -
Oh boy
I cannot find the words. But I would like it if you could read my poem [A letter to a friend] under focus poems. Ty -
As I said before, this is a very good write and I want to wish you the best of luck in the contest! Thanks for entering!
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Very good write. I pray that I never have to face that day, but there are so many who face it, more as the days go by and this war goes on. Thank you for sharing this wonderful write.
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Pretty descriptive
I remember when much younger I viewed the bodies of my buddies in their casket. Some not fully opened because there was not all of him there. The look in their moms faces is something that I will never forget. I was lucky though I served I never did get to see the killing. Great write
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Wow! This poem was so good it lost me in it1 i kinda stop snf pictured myself in the poem as if i was there for a few second. It was such a trutly amazing poem. I am proud to say i read this poem i trutly hope you win the contest. I hope we can talke and share idea about eachothers poems. Christina
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Nice job capturing the essence and futility of war. Very well worded. Good luck in the contest.
Best wishes,
Moses -
Good job with the imagry of war ... makes one feel sad for those whom have loved ones lost in war ... Killing is not one of my favourite subjects, but you did a good job.
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Bravo!!!!
I much applaud you my dear. This touched my very soul and made my heart bleed for all those ppl who fight for their freedom and with this fight comes death, so sad that we must have blood shed of our young men and women who do this everyday. My God bless all our troops over seas and here at home! This piece is absolutely superb! I like the different expects of this piece. Thank you for writing and sharing this piece, I hope you do not mind me sending this in my brother-in-law, he is in the Navy and I am sure the men and women will love this write as much as I do. Wonderful job!
~C.J.~ -
I would applaud this just because it's the first entry in my first contest, but as this is extremely well written it deserves it anyways. Although most people don't think that war is a very good thing (myself included) the soldiers that fight in deserve our respect and in some cases our admiration. Great write.
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What a scary and personal light you have shed into the realities of war! It all seems so pointless sometimes doesn't it? My sister joned the army not too long ago and may very well end up in Iraq. I can't help but feel scared to death and a little angry. Ok a lot angry. WHAT THE $%$# was she thinking?
Anyways, you did a great job sucking the reader (this one anyway) into your world. Thanks for entering! -
I think that fighting for war is pointless!! This is a very good poem about it too! it shows all the aspects of war together!!! Like I said, this is a brilliant poem! O yes, and thanks for wishing me luck in your contest!!
Mandi -
there are people who stand for something..and then there are people who stand simply because their bed is not made...the idea of war drives me crazy..trying to understand it all..its human..and im too human to fully comprehend it..we are becoming the 'bite' 'too big to chew'...if any of that makes sense..neways..a sad read..but you have written it well
~*~Blu~*~ -
I could only imagine what it is like to fight in war. We have enough evidence around us to get quite vivid in our imagination. But this write in its smallness, spoke volumes of truth and accuracy as I would imagine it myself. Its a pain that strikes terror, sadness, anger and so on. I felt and visioned your words. Well Done. This is excellent. Thank you
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this is very sad, indeed..........my husband served in the military for 12 years, PROUDLY, and he knew exactly what he was fighting for when he was overseas....thank God I didn't receive one of those letters........I appreciate and acknowledge your passion...... ~~~~~~~~Stephanie~~~~~~~~~
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This was written very creatively. It held my attention from beginning to end and aroused within me the emotions that I can only imagine must have been felt by those who are unfortunate to ever receive such a notice. Great job! Thank you for sharing this.
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this is definately the way i've always seen war. it's a terrible shame that this is how men have chose who would have control over who and such. nice job and thank you for your entry.
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Greta job capturing the image and putting yoru emotions into this piece, it really shows. You've done a terrific job capturing the moment. It's really something. Thank you for entering and good luck.
~Anastasia -
Another fantastic write! I, too am glad that your teacher pushed you, because this is boarderline perfect. I have a Dad who's retired Air Force, and twin uncles in he Navy. Whether or not you've actually been to war, you have given us a window into what it is like. Remarkable
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Amazing write!!It's such a good poem
I love this poem!! thanks for entering, and good luck in this contest!!
~Amy -
Thank you for entering this contest... Good luck...
~Sierra -
You gave a vivivd account of what war must be like with this wonderful work of prose. I can only imagine. There must be real moments of terror and confusion out there where bullets really have no name. I am sure that survival is first and foremost on the battlefield. My neighbors lost a son in the Gulf War. I still hold this country accountable, but he wanted to go, he had a desire to fight for the freedoms of our country, and in that I have the utmost pride. This poem is very heartfelt and leaves me in pain for all those who mourn their children, all those who pray without ceasing that their children will return, for all those mothers and fathers who hope their spouses will return to their children. I feel the hearts of many in this piece, and most especially your heart. Thank you for sharing this nightmarish experience with us. YOU are a SURVIVOR, and I wish you all the best. Keep moving forward.
Sharon
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thanks
thank you kindly for pointing out the correction I'll get on that right away -
applaud
I've read this poem over and over again and it still hits my heart like an everlasting pain. I feel like I had been the one on the front line and it was my story of my life as a soldier being told. And you were the one who got the proud to serve letter. thank you for the heartache and terrible emotions that fall into place due to war that were caught so perfectly. -
This is very moving. An excellent eloquent statement beautifully written. Great job
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Mmm, yeah. A good description of war. OR so i would assume not actually having ever experienced it. But anyway. Very well written. The ideas certainly strike home. SO, good stuff.
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Yes, war is awful. Thanks for sharing your ideas. Read my poem "Society's Answer" for another war poem if you'd like. Nice write!
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Sure you're not a soldier? Because You've sure captured the image. Beyond well. Thanks for Sharing your masterpiece with us. Keep up the good work.
~Mab -
This hits close to home because my brother serves. It is a horrible thing with a hollow bictory whichever way the war is won. So many people hurt in so many ways. This poem really captures what it's like to worry, hurt, and fight. Nicely done. Hope to read more soon.
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Innocent
Great subject, great write. -
I am weeping with them. War is hell.
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