Plastic soldiers on papier mache landscapes.

The "great" war.

Dawn would bring both death and daylight,
as men called to self sacrifice by shrill whistles clambered muddy walls.
" For King and country" drowned out by chattering guns
and whining shells, that on landing mixed man with mother earth into macabre shapes, shapes no more than stepping stones for those that followed,
brothers in arms in blood stained boots charging into hell.
The lucky ones would meet instantaneous death, released to heaven, freed,
whereas those that survived trudged back to death row,
there to wait knowing it was only a matter of time,
hours, days, weeks, until their "when" not "if " death met.

Thoughts of home filled quiet times, family, friends, loved ones.
Loved ones whose faces now with difficulty recalled, if recalled at all,
as the constant horrors of man's savagery slowly erased all memories of good, these replaced with flashbacks, nightmares, leading many a good man to break, desertion earning death from friendly fire.

And so it continued, year after year, with fat generals pushing plastic soldiers over papier mache landscapes, safe in the knowledge that an endless supply of willing, naive, cannon fodder be ever to hand. No price to big a price to pay in the quest for victory, no matter how hollow.

One hundred years later in nations across the globe, the sacrifice of a sacrificed generation will be remembered with blood red poppies and wreaths, but more importantly with eternal thanks, and disbelief...

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

a moving setting and scene Gee ... i am always amazed by the men returning .. rarely talking about it at all ... like me Da (WW2) and his buddies .. PTSD unheard of but most certainly a reality .. but my Da never showed any signs of it .. the social commentary of seemingly heartless Generals with hollow intentions is something that can not avoid attention .. but in light of the rest seems out of place .. on reading i feel such respect and appreciation for those who fought and those who fought and died .. the reality of evil in our world comes to mind as well ... thanks for this tribute Gee ... well done .. i am moved by it
E.

[Gee]

Thanks E.
Hope you are keeping well

[Einstein Noodle]

i am my friend .. thank you ... and you as well. ... it isn't hard for me .. retired and a stay at home kind of person anyway .. neighbors acres away whom I mostly run into while waking Beauregard the Princely Dog the First ;))

[Gee]

Must be good to be a FREE man :)
All good in dreary UK, far to busy building houses though

[Einstein Noodle]

that's right .. i recall you are in construction .. your day will come .. my retirement is enough and i am surely free from work responsibility .. and do not miss it one bit ;) i'm glad you are busy .. construction is a huge indicator of the economy .. no matter what country .. blessings sir .. stay safe out there

[Cherrie Palmer]

Really good piece made me think.
Side-note of sorts:
My dad was a World War II Marine with a battle field promotion. He like my father in law joined before turning 18.
Two of my brothers and two of my brother in laws raged to survive in the jungles of Nam.
Once they got home the boys needed a voice. I think because both they and the media only saw the destruction and death.
Dad or my father in law, would not talk war with them. Even though they would ask. It wasn't because they hadn't earned the right to hear them. It was much more than that.
I grew up in the American Legion. We also belonged to the VFW and I noticed that "the great generation" didn't need a voice. Their resolve and inner compass kept them and revrance for the victory(and its cost) kept them silent. I don't know they could see the difference between the two (a soldier just goes) but from where the boys sat there was an enormous gap.

[Gee]

An interesting family you have Cherrie, and brave.
Thanks for commenting

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed those generals use boys and young men like tinder. Not sure all were willing soldiers though as conscription saw to that. Not sure we have even learned any lessons despite our horror and disbelief.

You raise important issues that should not remain buried in Flanders fields. You raise it sensitively and describe it well Gee.

[Gee]

Thank you John

[Uranus]

Love the title. Then it made more sense after reading the content.

[Gee]

Thank you for commenting

[LazerRays]

War is probably one thing that everyone can agree is not good. And i dont think many appreciate the soldiers who fight for us in them. I think its safe to say that many people in the military are taken for granted. this makes me upset to think that a lot of people sit on their butts and take freedom like drugs while forgetting the humans who put their life at risk for that freedom. This was a very good piece of writing you have here, i enjoyed it very much :)

[Gee]

Hi Sarah, thanks. I currently work with a few ex military, marines, whose stories would curl your hair. Brave men, life on the line for a paltry £35,000..

[LazerRays]

indeed they are brave. God bless them all

[emmajoy]

Your words are near on par with the great war poets, Gee. Probably because whilst you weren't there, you FEEL what it all meant and still means.. and, i rather think, always will. Have never understood war. Simple statement and probably weird. But for me i keep wondering when after all the unsuccessful rehearsals for it, war will take its final curtain.

Finely, superbly laid words about the bloodiest of anything.

[Gee]

The lesson that there are no winners in war never seems to sink in.
Hi EmmaJ, hope you are well. Were just off up to Richmond, 5 couples, until Monday. Will have to take my ear infection and recently hacked tongue with me though :((

[emmajoy]

How true. Obviously civilised discussion or let's say wordage, seems locked in sites like ours, not Whitehall or similar!

Arggh your sad affliction. But gently dabbed active yoghurt might help. ??? Take care, find fun anyway.

[Ken Simm.]

I've always thought that the words 'At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them' was beautiful poetry. But it shouldn't have to have been said.

[Gee]

I think as each generation passes history moves forward and what to us is the recent (ish) past becomes the distant past and so forgotten, if that makes sense.
My daughter was born on 11/11/2000 so she is fully aware of the date and it's meaning.
Thought twice about posting this as I'm always mindful of upsetting, annoying folk with them thinking I am trivialising, which is not my intention, the horrors of war.
Thanks for commenting Ken, hope you are well.

[Ken Simm.]

I did a similar one some years ago on the 96th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, called Air, Water, Spaces. I think I sent you an RR if you are interested and I can be cheeky. I am well and you are more than welcom my friend.

[richieb]

Gee,
Your poem covers all of the aspects of this terrible war. You show the horrific realities that these brave soldiers faced. They were worn down by anxiety as well as the terrible physical wounds. As you mentioned the generals expectations were absurd and unrealistic.
I was pleased that you ended your poem with a fitting tribute to their eternal sacrifice.
Peace,
Richie b.

[Gee]

Thank you for dropping by Richie, most appreciated

[Coyote Poetry]

I have been reading Salinger and the war poets/writers. It is amazing war is accepted after two world wars in 100 years or so. Powerful and worthwhile poetry my friend. Made the reader think and ponder.
Coyote

[Gee]

Thank you. I should really read the work of others to improve my own writing. Will make a mental note to do so.
Thank you Coyote

[Coyote Poetry]

Salinger life story. Taught me many things and you are welcome my friend.

[Paul Bell]

If you looked at this through a child's eyes.
They might say to you.
Why did they call it, The Great War?
Millions died. What's so great about that.
You probably couldn't answer the question.
The ordinary people die in conflicts caused by egotistical dipshits.
The ordinary people you see on walls all around the world.
Just Heroes. The ordinary people.

[Gee]

Never mind the kids asking that...
Cheers Pzul

[Gee]

Paul.......