Voices of Old Men

Not truly a poem or an essay.

Voices of Youth
Once filled with
The joys of Life

Voices of Youth
Taken away
In a Time gone by
In a far off land
In a war none understood

Voices of Men
Now changed
Voices torn
Screams of Rage
Screams of Pain

Voices now worn
And cracked
Too much tobacco
Too much alcohol
Too many drugs
Too much pain

Voices now worn
Burying memories
Of the Past.

Voices of Old Men
Voices now weak
Voices now tired
Voices that will
Never again
Speak so loud.

Yet hear me now
Let not the Voices
Of those now returning
Grow dim

NOW hold out
The Hand
Of Help
Of Understanding
And of Compassion

Reviews

[emmajoy]

Such is the tragedy of war and what it does to men, to fighters. It rips them into pieces - physically and mentally, just as their actions tear their victims bodies and lands apart.

'Yet hear me now
Let not the Voices
Of those now returning
Grow dim

NOW hold out
The Hand
Of Help
Of Understanding
And of Compassion'

Your sensitive, incredible words express more than a book could. They should be THE warning to and for Mankind. War isn't the answer, the ones that fought know that.

The way you've actually set out the poem adds to its pace, makes the reader read more slowly and, consequently, SEE the words.

[Staci Brown]

a nice cameo of a vets life and voice.

Faerie Blessings

--faerie whisper (breaking the silence...)

[Jacquelene Vanessa More..]

Voices now worn
And cracked
Too much tobacco
Too much alcohol
Too many drugs
Too much pain

this is my faveorite stanza. it's sad to make yourself deteriorate. i loved the way you showed that step by step instead of all at aonce. the last stanza is beautiful. love to read pieces like this. the old, history our past. it makes me feel so alive.

[Thomas James Martin]

Thanks.

Tom

[Wildfleour]

Bob - This is how I imagine many men, who fought, feel. I don't think your voice has been lost; many still care and many still hear. The question is: What can we learn so we stop repeating the mistakes we made in history?

[An Ordinary Woman]

NOW hold out
The Hand
Of Help
Of Understanding
And of Compassion ... Yes this is key and you've written it with such eloquence.

Beautifully written ...

[radian7]

The vertically compressed format works wonderfully. While reading your poem bits of a song sung by Joan Baez came to mind... Tears of Rage , Tears of Grief... Her singing became my background as I read your powerful, soul sad poem. Thought the ending worked beautifully ...an admonition to better things.

[Ron B]

I have heard many of those voices. Very good poem.

[Sam Freeland]

Life is brief and age comes too soon. Youth will be served. All have given
and enjoyed what they could. Youth will age and find what they knew
not about life. Writers like you have the power to grant eternal life
to the minds of those who read and that power will be passed on to
others. thank you for giving us your memorable statement.

[[untitled]]

Hm, I left a comment here once before. I like this as you know that I would. Few understand what war does to men, few if any who have not been. It was not like that in the days of Homer or Alexander the Great, or for that matter Native Americans. The warrior was an integral part of society, his life was not hidden. He was an honored member of society. Upon his return from war his family knew what to expect, an important position was waiting for him upon his return. It was all about honor. It should be again. I am looking forward to my work.