Remembrance

Armistice day, what happened then and our hope now

To the past that we look
Where so many lives, sadly took

From a World that was at war
And the atrocities they saw

We will never truly know
What the books try to show

Brave souls off to battle, sent with a cheer
Families waving, shedding a tear

Boys and men signed up, though they were unclear
On dealing with death, the shock and the fear

Horrendous events, made real by the few
Soldiers on both sides being commanded to do


Building and building, the war machine grew
Ask the men at the Front “what is your view”

Tacticians deciding, advance or retreat
Going “Over the top” the scariest feat

No Man’s Land, both armies would run
Into the knowledge of the enemies gun

Bombs and the screams “will I see another sun”
Consoling together asking “what have we done”

After battle is over, some stare to the sky
Knowing there may be no chance to say a last goodbye

Each side suffers loss, unimaginable in scale
Scared that their pride would be gone if they fail

Remember those souls that returned, back then
With all that they lost, children and men


At home there was destruction and all knew who to blame
But those soldiers had seen faces, never knowing their name

How did they cope with all they had done and seen
By holding back, having nightmares, keeping their families minds clean

Each country and continent is touched by the pain
For in war there comes grief over and over again

No hatred of each other, if this could be reconciled
No deliberate acts of horror against woman, man or child

Learn from mistakes from our past not to follow
Able to wake each day feeling positive for tomorrow

My intention is not to judge, anger or upset
This is my way to help me never forget

There is a hope, that some words may ring true
Remembrance of those departed for me and for you.

Author's Note

This is my first poem to be reviewed, appreciate all feedback

Reviews

[Ana]

Gave me chills. I love the way you captured the fear and the guilt of the soldiers.

[Matt B]

Thank you Ana, just wanted to show a view of those awful events from all sides.

[John the Baptist]

A good picture here of the way it was for the WW l soldiers. Sadly, nothing was learned. Twenty years after the armistice, another and greater war began.

[Matt B]

Thank you for reading this, and yes it is sad that we endured another war and the grief that came again