Baptism by Lead

This poem is about a World War II veteran telling his family of the horrors he has seen on the front lines of western Europe. From the Spring of 1942 to the Winter of 1945 when he is sent home.

Once fleeting ships, reunite anxious lovers
Their joyous squeals, forever float serene
Father showers kin with affection
Cast his rage across the blackened sea
A frigid hell storm, baptized him in blood
Shed all of his innocence, in the midst of the vengeful reaper
The faint gasps, of fallen comrades, stay trapped in his nightly visions

Lush melodies of spring, fell from his lips
Walls coveted, by this forgotten hymn of loyalty
Driven the wayward and confused, to bountiful plunder
These horrors of war, may melt away in the beating sun
The haunting patter of boots, stormed the walls of his fragile mind
Tore brides away, from the quivering arms of lovers
As "cheers" spilled from the corners of their eyes

Crowning summer lights
Awakened his spirit in atrophy
The array of colors, fallen the shimmering heavens
His heart was dubbed king of all inward bliss
Whilst familiar faces, all flocked to his side
He watched the figures, dash for his embrace
Arms thrown around him, locked in rejuvenation
Fire explodes, from trembling muzzles
Left these illusions, riddle with lead and smoke
The beauty of home, slipped through his fingers
A harsh reminder, that bore deep into his besieged psyche

Autumn breeds, skies of sulfur
Drenching her offspring in fraternal blood
The slain leaves, mimicked slaughtered heroism
As solemn prayers danced amongst silent victims
Deathly wails  of brethren, filled our father's conscience
Whilst chaos exudes dominance, consuming ranks with cackling machines
Stouthearted patriots, left smoldering and putrid
As fire fell from the perished evergreens

A grieving winter, showered desolate pastures
The winds wailing, at man's hideous crime
Scores of men, marched depleted and sullen
The gleaming wings of patriots, cracked and frost bitten
Unwavering storms, fought with valiance
Clinging tight, to their frigid doctrine
A broken patriarch, fell to his knees
Wept for endless nights a tormented wretch
With sunken pride, he groveled
Proclaiming his anguish, into the jewel encrusted night
"Restore me, unto the world I once knew
Where the blessings of home, swallow my being"
Sleepless nights soon passed, the grueling days reduced to ashes
The screaming gaze of the maddened storm soon fades
Restoring man into the arms of kinship