He looked at the one who was holding the gun
And a smile ran across his stained face
And for a moment they stared with common thoughts shared
Standing in still face to face
Who could have known that so far from home
That they would meet up with each other
But there they both stood as foes on the sand
As enemies brother meets brother
Twas a sign of good will that caused them to still
And something inside them was freed
Like two winds from two shores but both from the same core
Sensed the great joy that did seed
14.9.1980
Author notes
My father told me a story years ago about when he served in North Africa during ww11. They had captured some Italians soldiers and had brought them in to be sent down the lines. It just so happened that on that day, an Italian serving with the Australian forces recognized a soldier among the Italian prisoners and was blown away with joy. It seemed that he's brother was one of them. My father said he never saw so much elation than at that moment when the two brothers found each other. This poem was what I wrote about it.
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Comments
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reminder that we are all flesh and blood
Who could have known that so far from home
That they would meet up with each other
But there they both stood as foes on the sand
As enemies brother meets brother
It reminded me also of the time in world war 1 when both sides ceased fighting and came together on Christmas day in no mans land and played a game of football with an improvised ball. They shared cigarettes and showed each other photographs. Neither side knew what the war was about just ordinary men and yet the next day they went back to killing each other again.
The Book about this is Silent Night by Stanley Weintraub
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Thank oyu my friend for your comments and read. I saw the documentary on the story you spoke about and it was amazing. In the documentary, the soldiers were threatened with being shot if they didn't get back to the fighting. I loved that story and also your comments.
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WOW...AMAZING
this really shows some insight into war
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thank oyu so much. will be by shortly.
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your words have brought me to tears and goose bumps run up my spine
if only all could just see we are simply just one big family...maybe just maybe we could be a world of peace...niaish for sharing this wonderful piece of joy with me
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Thank you so much for your most wonderful comments. It always pleases me when someone feels somethng from my writes.
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DEEPLY TOUCHING!!!
It is so sad that differences in beliefs can send family members in different directions.
It is then as they meet by chance on a battle front they realize the futility of it all. 
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Thank you, Puppydog. Yes, I dare say that a lot of this went on back then, it is just that it never came to the surface. I am so glad you enjoyed this.
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There can not be anything worse than to be on the opposite side to ones loved ones Civil wars manage to do this.I was watching a program last night about the Battle of Culloden where one brother fought for the English and one for the Scots
what a state to be in
A wonderful poem and a fine read
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Thank you. It is sad when situations like this arise. Of all the stories my father told me, this one stood out so much. It must be hard when different beliefs get in the way of family. Thank you for stopping by and reading.
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Ahh how wonderfully written. Thanks for the AN. Ity certainly helps to understand the depth of your poem.
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Thank you, mate. I thought the authors notes were required with this piece like you said to give more understanding. Thanks for reading.
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Kuddos for your AN. ^^
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Thank you. I am so glad you liked it.
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If we all could see the other side as brothers (and sisters) what a better world it would be! Excellent poem!
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Thank you. I agree. So much pain could be eradicated if all were to stand together.
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Lovely story behind this poem, and a lovely poem. I sometimes wonder how often this sort of thing actually does happen. I have heard of it, but never the details
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Thanks, Bob. I would think back in the days of ww11 and ww1, it would have been quite prevelant. Sad though that families would be torn apart by their differences in bleiefs.
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