Where Only The Angels Tread

While the Gods of War rest in the domed white house,

and The Warriors are fighting wraiths,

The Angels are waiting, sentinels at their posts.

 

Through the mists of chaos and smoke, they approach.

Orbs of light, they stand by his side,

to guide him home,

through mists of chaos and smoke.

 

Among the heavens and the celestial guardians,

those who have gone before,

are waiting to welcome him,

with anthems and laude.

 

Then The Angels return to their posts,

watching the mists of chaos and smoke.

Where only The Angels tread they go,

to bring another warrior home.

Reviews

[Legion]

I have to say that your opening stanza blew me away. Awesome. As for the rest of the poem, it was superbly done as well. Reminds me of the Valkryies of Norse legend. This is a fantastic piece. I love it and it is going in my favorites. If you have time, check out my poem "Another Christmas Morn (A Soldier's Toast)" and see what you think. Thanks for a wonderful read.

[Anita B Jacques]

Very nice, in a big way. Going home, only time keeps us away. I remember about the mists my dear departed husband referred to a couple of days before he left us, at first I blamed the drugs, he couldn't understand why we didn't see the mists. I love your poem, written smoothly and full of hope, thank you for sharing it with us.

[deeps]

This is so wonderful and so touching.
A very sincere write here.

[Ryan]

I've always loved anything to do with angels and death (morbid mind...). I think you potrayed war very eloquently in this piece. I love your word choice especially. The flow feels a little odd to me but that's probably just me. Overall, amazing job, and thanks for sharing! :)

[emmajoy]

Such a tragedy expressed in quite a few lines plus, beautifully structured and expressed.

'Amoung the heavens and the celestial guardians, / those who have gone before, / are waiting to welcome him, / with anthems and laude. // Then The Angels return to their posts, '

I had to add that fifth line because somehow it stressed the previous lines, made them even more powerful and poingnant than they are.

There can't be many genuinely other sincere poems or pieces of prose that so clearly express the death of a warrior in battle.

(The word 'amoung', little spelling slip, doesn't need the 'u' )

Great writing, thank you for sharing.

[Twilight]

The imagery is certainly good enough here, to make clear what the writer is trying to express. Basically, she seems to be reminding the reader of every individual soldier, who has died in combat and gone to Heaven.

"the mists of chaos and smoke". This almost certainly represents a battle zone, in which smoke from explosions and fires can be seen. The idea of An Angel guiding a soldier home, is also a nice one. It is spiritual, and reminded me of those lighthouses which guide ships safely home from the sea. Or like shining beacons, perhaps?

In the second to last verse, former comrades welcome the fallen into Heaven - to join them. Interestingly, in verse one, I noticed that there appears to be form of role-reversal. Instead of Angels being portrayed as spiritual, they are described as "sentinels", with the soldiers identified as "warriors fighting wraiths". Unless of course, this simply means that the soldiers are fighting against wraiths?

I understood the writer's reference to the "Gods of war" in the "domed white house". Many religious buildings are domed, so that is probably why she reminds the reader that the white house is also "domed". By using the term "Gods of War", it is stating that those in authority at the white house, have the final say - in deciding whether or not America goes to war! Or, it may be reminding us of something quite different? Either way, another thought-provoking poem from JC!

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Wow JC amazing and so divine... their is no doubt those who give their lives defending our freedoms and security belong in the heavens... I salute you on this touching poem.

[Wildfleour]

JC - I was struck not only by your words and the images created, but by a sense of structure that you created too. During a time of war, this poem is especially poignant.

[rumpulpulsky]

I hope they have enough space there. They'll need it.
Why don't they paing the house black?

[Mark Pearce]

I'm glad that you chose eloquence and imagery here rather than rhyme and meter. It does the piece great justice.

There is a solemnity to it somehow.

[Joseph - Michael]

Hey, I can related to that, I mean, I've always admired that kind of angel stories / poems. So, it's all good...