Parade to War

Grey skulls of happy men,
Teeth barred in gentle smiles...
Together they march onward,
To sieze the breadth of miles.

For honor and country they march,
To the end of happy hours...
And in this parade of glory,
Beneath faces the soul sours.

They know death is waiting,
They have seen it times before.
They know death is still there,
They kiss those they adode.

And through the parade they march,
Grey skulls of happy men.
For honor and country they go,
To fight the enemies again.

And resting neath the soil,
Carried there by loving hands.
A flag is folded silently,
And now they march to unknown lands...

Grey skulls of happy men,
Teeth barred in gentle smiles...
Together they march onward,
To sieze the breadth of miles.

Author notes

This poem is based on a painting I had seen at the Cummer Gallery of Arts and Gardens in Jacksonville, FL. Unfortunately I can not remember the exact name of the painting or the artist; however, it is a parade of World War infantry heading to war and the skulls of the men and ghostly super-imposed over their faces... giving it a very tragic feel despite it being a parade. This poem fits into the inspired by art and into the military (though not about your story) sections...