LOST IN BATTLE

I do not mean to slight the many women who now join the armed forces and risk their lives alongside the men. But way back when I was young, it was young men who were drafted and called into battle. This was written from such a mother's view point.

 

 

 

 

 

"Lost in battle," is what she read

The army's message, that her son was dead

"He was a true soldier, proud and brave"

Gave little comfort beside his grave

All hopes and dreams and life's desire

 Ended abruptly by enemy fire

 

  He fought for his country and freedom they say

With little concern for the price he would pay

All the tales of glory and heroes' lore

 Can never prepare us for the horrors of war

 

Now the battles are over and victory's won

 But how many mothers are mourning a son?

 

 

 

Reviews

[Marie Anzalone]

"All foreign wars I do proclaim
Live on the blood and the mother's pain
I'd rather have my son as he used to be
Than the King of America and his whole navy"

-Bruce Springsteen, "Mrs McGrath"

I think this sums it up quite well. I lost my fiancee to the Iraq War. Not to an IED, but to PTSD. He came back alive, with vital parts of his mind and personality dead. He came back with a devastating case of alcoholism and rage issues. And they say to me, "You don't support our troops if you question the validity of the war"

and I say back, "I have to make decisions every day that make research animals give up their lives for the cause of bettering humanity. By law, I am held accountable for assuring that there is a good reason to put an animal's life, sanity, or well-being in jeopardy. Why aren't warlords held equally accountable for the liberties they take with our mother's daughters and sons?"

This struck a chord, Ellen. Thank you. There is no comfort for a mother, either for the message of "honor in death" nor for the message "alive but wishes he were dead"

[Phoenix]

I like this. I like that you don't glorify war the way they do in commercials and movies, because anyone sending their sons and daughters away to fight is not going to feel that way. You did a great job of showing the loss that must always come with being a 'hero' in battle.

[~*~Peace Keeper~*~]

How true this is...and very sad...the world is filled with so many evils in it...and everyone should be thankful that people go and protect us from the war...i know people want it to end...everyone does...but if we stop now it will come to us...and people seem not to realize that...but all we can do is pray for our soldiers and to get us ready for the war to come to us :)
Great poem...so heart felt

[Anita B Jacques]

Well said, we don't see coffins in parades, parents interviewed on T.V, the children crying for their Daddy.
A great write Ellen, Thank you for sharing. God Bless you.
Your friend
Annie

[Jinx's Heart]

Wow! Extremely raw. I'll never understand what it really feels like, but the emotion is so vivid and 'loud'. I think this was beautifully written. Excellent piece.