Once They Were Soldiers

 

The conversation was lively

and smoke filled the air.

The coffee pots were empty

but no one seemed to care.

Their weathered brows, furrowed

as they struggled hard to hear

the string of combat stories

going strong after all these years.

The tales of guns and roses filled

 their hearts with certain yearning

to revisit  far off places

and recapture campfires burning.

Those gallant, elderly gentlemen

now silver haired and getting older

reminiscing about days gone by

were once American soldiers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

A poem I wrote awhile back in tribute to the brave men and women who serve our country.

Reviews

[Terpsichore]

My grandfather served in WW2 and we must never forget either those past heroes, or the brave men and women who still today would sacrifice all for freedom.

In remembering, we give them grace; and this is a wonderful tribute.

T

[Dara]

Truer words were never spoken! I know you are proud of your grandfather. My dad was in the Navy during the Second World War. He still talks about it. Thank you so much for this warm review.

[Einstein Noodle]

beautiful, smooth, rhythmic and un-forced rhyme .. great pic!!! your tribute to all our soldiers touches my heart ..the camaraderie of soldiers (especially combat) is a strong connection wrought of steal and iron ... only they truly understand it .. thank you for sharing this Dara! especially appropriate in these highly troubled times .. but so special for those who are aging ..well done says i!
E.

[Dara]

And thank you for this wonderful review! My father still loves to go down to the American Legion at least once a week to share stories. So nice to see you here my friend. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving :-)

[Einstein Noodle]

kids and grand kids just have filtered out and gone home ..had a great time ... and tho its evening ..Happy Thanksgiving to you too!! what a treat your Dad is with you :)

[Tom]

Brave men who deserve our deepest gratitude and upmost respect !

A fitting tribute penned in fine poetic verse, hats off to you Dara or at the very least a full salute !

[Dara]

Your wonderful review is so greatly appreciated Tom. I live in awe of their dedication and great sacrifice and always feel like I can never thank our men and women in arms enough. So sorry that my reply is this late. I have been out of town. Your visit to my page made my day, though. I hope you have a very blessed one.

[78Jon]

May I copy and paste this poem on my Facebook page? Of Course with "A poem by Dara" written before it. May I do that?

[Dara]

You certainly may and it would be an honor.

[78Jon]

Thank you. I like stuff like this, I guess partially because I had a British Special Air Service soldier befriend me during my childhood. I know how it goes. Nobody ever hears about what they do and never pay attention to it, and people never hear about it or have their attention drawn to it. Alot of men make the ultimate sacrifice, losing their lives, and nobody ever hears about it or know what they did. We definitely have the media fill us in on celebrity lives though.

[78Jon]

Wonderful poem. I like it. That's a poem that needs to be placed somewhere for public view, because those guys have memories and made sacrifices that normal people never ever taken a glance at. I really liked the poem.

[Dara]

I am glad you enjoyed my poem. It is just a small token of appreciation for the sacrifices made by our service men and women and their families.