There But For Fortune

Written after a visit to a local church where our Prime Minister worships

Free from treacherous warfare

torturing my memories,

I have lived and loved

beyond the valley of death.

My breath has not agonised

nor my spirit been broken

by the loss of one of my own

blown up in the course of duty.

I have not trembled

at that dreaded door knock

or felt the fear of the Reaper

creeping near.

Or listened to the weeping

of family and friends

as they mourn their war dead.

Neither have I faced the devastation

that comes when a nation

fights for its freedom.

Unlike my forebears

my generation remains

relatively unscathed.

Yet, I am reminded by

engraved brass plaques

on peaceful church walls

gleaming in glorious sunlight

of our local lads.

Scythed down, they stood little chance

to leave firm footsteps or dance

to the tune of life.

I shudder at their sacrifice.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

This poem reminds me of a practice I have come to value, that of being grateful for what I have been spared. The awareness shown in these clear and moving lines is something we all might emulate. The last verse especially was poignant. It made me think of the First Battle of the Somme in 1916, when the British Expeditionary Force lost nearly 60,000 men in a single day, most of them new men who had been recruited to replace the losses of the previous two years. Well done.

[Chris Shaw]

That's how I feel, more than grateful. If you are in the wrong place and at the wrong time heaven help you. I find the figures overwhelming and the older I get, the more it hurts. The crass stupidity of the human race. On a path way to self destruct one way or another. On a much lighter note, have a happy Christmas and thank you for your time and your thoughtful response.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

And a merry Christmas to you, too.

[duck]

gratitude is what I get from this poetry. happy xmas to all.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you duck, gratitude on many counts. Merry Christmas :)

[emmajoy]

If ever a reminder of what it means to families all over the world.. and has for centuries, this is on par with known poets.

You have only to study grave stones, see the dates that indicate ages... that is if there are graves to see, many died in countries they didnt even know. Many died so long ago, the dates no longer show. So many young men.. and more recently, women, have left and never come back. All that's left are memories and tears, certain dates and broken hearts. Your poem is magnificent in its utter truth, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

The older I get the more futile war becomes. There are never any winners. We all lose. Thank you Em.

Chris

[Tate Morgan]

Young men go off to war with the idea of adventure and honor. All are a bit scared at the prospect. The fear of failing balanced by the fear of mortality. We value life much less when we are young. That because we feel immortal. It is only later that we find out in most cases it was for nothing.

[Chris Shaw]

Much wisdom in your response Tate. Thank you.

Chris

[sette]

well death is equivalent to pain regardless of how and why we die.. it will always be painful

[Chris Shaw]

It is painful sette, but more poignant in my opinion when those young men hardly lived. We all have to die sometime. Thank you for your visit.

Chris

[john l smith]

awfully easy for succeeding generations to forget the sacrifices that went before them
An effective reminder

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Dave. We all need to be reminded to prevent it from happening again. Hope you had a great Christmas day.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

yes yes splendid voice on this one Chris! I feel a sense of channeling here, It is easy to pass the engraved plaques of memorials to the fallen unnoticed like a billboard or a signpost. But every once in a while i stop and look at the names and pause to recognize they stand for us all.

[Chris Shaw]

Absolutely spot on Bad bunny. It could have been us. They had no choice. Many thanks

Chris

[Tamara Beryl Latham]

Your words speak to truth, referencing the sacrifices of war. Nicely penned, Christine.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous for your visit Tamara. Always appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Tamara Beryl Latham]

You're welcome Chris. Enjoy a wonderful holiday season. :-)

[Simbles]

hits pretty hard. Well placed affection.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your review.

Chris

[Simbles]

no thank you, for your almost stoic piece

[peter Duggan]

Hi Chris what a great poem you have written. When I emigrated to Australia I joined the army and went to Vietnam. Now I have nothing but disgust for the leaders who send people out to fight wars for no real reason except greed and power. The world we live in is filled with power and greed. I enjoyed the read, my friend....Peter

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Peter. There are no winners in war..

Chris

[Lorry]

We are the lucky ones. I was forbade from joining up as I intended after school. I was in the army cadets and when the falklands war started, I got grounded by my mum until it was over.
Living in clydebank, I knew only too well the cost. Our town hall has a memorial of those lost that stretches for a hundred yards. Being next to the clyde, only seven houses out of forty thousand were still standing after the war, and thats before we count those that never got to come back. It still stops me in my tracks every time I see it.

[Chris Shaw]

When I stop to focus on the losses and devastation that our parents and grandparents had to live with, it breaks my heart. Thank you Lorry.

Chris

[Lorry]

You're very welcome. Hope santa is good to you. :)

[lightsong]

wonderfully poignant dear Chris, Your lines are moving from one to the other, until in Your last two verses You brought it to the top! I don't know if You were speaking with the voice of Your Prim Minister or not, how he might be not there with each sacrifice a family has made, or can reach all whom are poor, hunger in need... etc... but somehow in this holy place, it's like he can reach them all. and this of course can be felt even by anyone of us, when we are devout and thinking of all whom had gone, whom are here, and whom will be there... gratitude, thankfulness, even a bit of regret for things that might have worked in a better way.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Light. No winners in war. We all become losers.

Chris

[lightsong]

totally agree dear Chris.