When death is closer than home..."It's a long way to Tipperary"

When death is closer than home..."It's a long way to Tipperary"

A Poem by Gee
"

Each knew his fate... With the 11th of the 11th looming time to give this oldie an airing

"
"Its a long way to Tipperary..."

A single voice the silence pierced
to drift through cordite air,
to rise above the clouds of death
forlorn, tinged with despair.

"Its a long way to go..."

Along the trench more voices joined
a choir now on death row,
ironic that they sang of home
for their fate they all did know.

"Its a long way to Tipperary..."

Across the mire where no man lived
o'er blood and stench and gore,
their song fell onto enemy
and through each heart it tore.

"to the sweetest girl I know..."

They'd be no winners in this war
only those that better fared,
a whole generations blooming youth
wars horror brutally pared.

"goodbye Piccadily..."

The brave who sang that fateful day
brothers, fathers, uncles, sons,
would perish going "over the top"
Scythed down by chattering guns.

"Farewell Leicester square..."

Now fields abloom with blood red flowers
blue skies, and larks on high,
remember the wanton sacrifice
of those that came to fight and die.

"Its a long, long, way to Tipperary,
but my heart's right there"









© 2022 Gee


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Lin
What you have done here is incredible! You painted a picture in my mind and broke my heart. I could see the soldiers marching and singing to their deaths. It’s such a sad and beautiful poem.

Posted 6 Years Ago


Gee

6 Years Ago

Thank you Lin. Are you aware that the song lyrics obviously ain't written by this half wit.??
This is incredible. One of the best pieces of war poetry I have come across. I love this.Beautifully written and deeply moving language.

Posted 6 Years Ago


Gee

6 Years Ago

Thank you, glad you approve
I agree with Annette . . . chills here, too. This is the most brilliant thing I've ever read about war. I was almost dreading reading this, when I realized what it was about. I hate war, never watch movies or read books about it. But somehow you've drawn this heartfelt portrait with of ton of gore, while also keeping it artfully perfect. The exacting rhyme & rhythm reminds one of marching, almost with a lilt, as if defying odds. This is an amazing poem. I'm mind-blown! *BOOM!* (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

Posted 6 Years Ago


Gee

6 Years Ago

Hi Margie, I'm gobsmacked at your review. Thank you kindly.
This poem gave me the chills Gee. So deeply moving, the soldiers’ brave march to certain death...Beautiful language, form, flow, cadence, rhyme, musicality. The never- ending dirge. Imagery so skillfull-“Scythed down by chattering guns.”-brilliant. They die, we cry...”It’s a long, long way to Tipperary”-still. Kudos

Posted 6 Years Ago


Gee

6 Years Ago

Thank you Annette
Real talent very touching and moving

Posted 6 Years Ago


Gee

6 Years Ago

Thanks Julie, an oldie but apt today
Respectfully Touching

Beautiful Write and Read

Matthew

Posted 6 Years Ago


Gee

6 Years Ago

Cheers Matthew
as we approach Rememberance Sunday you have captured the misery, the pity, the senslessness and the horror of young men beeing forced to give their lives for no real good reason so well!

Posted 6 Years Ago


Gee

6 Years Ago

Thank you John..
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Brilliant, Gee.

You capture the finity of their last moments with gently superb words and rhyme. There was so much sacrifice during the Great War, and even today their stories of heroisim and laughter and song in the face of impending death are reverberating through our lives.

Another sadly poignant and timely write, Gee. For many did not make their way home to Tipperary.

Profound work.

Posted 6 Years Ago


Gee

6 Years Ago

Thanks Doodley. Imagine trying to prise the youth of today off their X boxes to lay down their lives.. read more
.

6 Years Ago

Not much chance of that happening! They would sit in the trenches glued to their iphones methinks.
Gee

6 Years Ago

Lol........,
My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity.
Wilfred Owen

Posted 6 Years Ago


Gee

6 Years Ago

There are wee differences between you and I Ken, mainly you are both a skilled artist and writer whi.. read more
Gee

6 Years Ago

S**t, born out....
Ken Simm.

6 Years Ago

Creative people are creative people. It is not a matter of degree I think. And I think the term half.. read more
Great and moving piece. A song of high spirits before going over the top.

Posted 6 Years Ago


Gee

6 Years Ago

Cheers....

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3700 Views
69 Reviews
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Shelved in 4 Libraries
Added on September 21, 2015
Last Updated on November 3, 2022
Tags: death, loss, longing, despair sacrifice

Author

Gee
Gee

Milton keynes, United Kingdom



About
Devoted family man and lover of life. Simply written, easily understood "stuff" for those without code breaking skills. You will NEVER need Google to understand me:) more..

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