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

[alanwgraham]

well done for this Gee. You've written a very descriptive and chilling portrait of the hell of life in the trenches. I think you have caught the madness of the generals that blackadder caught so well. Unfortunately I can see from my own kids that even the second world war is now remote and wars only happen in distant places. As these events face from living memory we need to keep them fresh.
Regards.
Alan

[Gee]

Thanks Alan.
My daughter takes a wee bit more notice than most of her age, 17, as she was born in November 11th.
The whole world needs to make sure the sacrifice of so many is never forgotten.
Good morning

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and what have we really gained in wars that the could offset the terrible loss and waste of lives...
in rare cases...freedom, yes...but in general...wars just cause heartbreak, loss of life and extreme sadness

such a good poem.

[Gee]

Very litle gained or learned it seems.
Thank you Jacob, hope all is well with you.

[Ana Papaya]

Quite sad to read.
Most of us are so far removed from the wars that are fought and never really understand the magnitude of its impact on the lives lost or ruined by it.

[Gee]

Yep, when you read of the sacrifice made by so many it breaks your heart.
Thank you Ana

[Chris Shaw]

Hard hitting, and yes we read about it with disbelief. Our young men shot because they had she'll shock. Canon fodder. Horrible, horrible times.Makes me weep at the sacrifice. Well written Gee.

Chris

[Gee]

Thanks Christine, the sacrifice of that war was horrendous.
Hope all is well with you. The good lady has headed North to Edinburgh, the daughter to her beaus, just me and the pooch and an inner ear infection :((

[Chris Shaw]

The inner ear infection doesn't sound like good company :(

[Johnnyb1]

Plastic soldiers that really describes
the true horrors of this war men that were treated as It was game sending them regardless to there certain death
how could anyone In there mind justify
such a waste of precious life's It beyond me what you have written very moving captured so well In your words
By the ways It Is freezing cold here In
Grantham predicting ice already had sleet kind regards Johnny

[Gee]

Wrap up warm Johnny B....
Thank you for reading and commenting

[Johnnyb1]

I'll keep warm thank you
Johnny b

[Lorry]

Plastic soldiers and papier mache says it all really. The comfort in which strategies were tried that chabged countless family lines forever, narrowed down to generals playing soldiers far from the madness of the front line. War is indeed hell.
A beautiful tribute Gee, to all those who made sure that home was safe, at least for us.
Interesting and disturbing fact...Although they knew it was ending, eleven thousand lives still ended on that final day. I cant help but seethe charge of blackadder at that thought, where it faded to the field of poppies it is now.

[Gee]

Cheers Lorry, such a waste of so many young lives. Hope all is well in Lapland

[Lorry]

Ha, not far off. Snowing since this morning. This week is gonna be a real b***h weather wise, and sadly its heading your way.
But on the bright side...top of the league to ya :)

[Gee]

Aye, at least until City play. Keep the snow up there please :)

[Lorry]

I shall try. Its not too bad but with the usual promise of worse to come. Im definitely moving somewhere warmer when I retire. Antartica perhaps.
Ps...Super sunday up here, two semi finals to see if green, blue, red or maroon ribbons will adorn the first silverware of the season....and the trains arent running ion some lines where the games are played. I think ill stay in today and avoid the chaos :)

[Gee]

I'll have footie on for 12, the good lady is in Edinburgh on a hen do...
Have just spent 10 minutes trying to remove a stain from the couch only to realise it is light coming through a chink in the blinds !!!!
Have a good day Lorry

[Lorry]

Its only with things like that we realise we shouldnt be left alone :)
Enjoy.

[barleygirl]

I admire you for making this into a poem of thanks. Being so saddened by war in all it's manifestations, I forget to thank those who go out there & fight for our freedoms, kinda ignoring the whole phenomenon as if it might someday go away (not likely -- just new ways to fight!) I love your line about mixing man & mother earth (mind-blowing authentic imagery) . . . also I love the line describing horrors & flashbacks, lest we forget how these experiences are never-ending for many (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Gee]

1914-1918, the war to end all wars, hmmmm, mankind has learnt little in 100 years.
I find it hard to write in such topics as I do not want to be seen to be trivializing such death and devastation.
Read Bittersweet,( I think) a poem of yours but for the life of me couldn't locate it when I returned to review. A very moving write.
Hope all is well with you Margie.
Thank you.

[barleygirl]

I posted Bittersweet a long time ago, so it's buried deep. Thank you for reading it . . . my best friend is still my hovering angel even after 4 years. Enjoy your weekend!