Soldiers

I was walking through the Flanders Field museum in Ypres, Belgium and with all the poems, history and photos there, I couldn't help but feel the emotions in the air all those years ago.

Surrounded by the stale air,

Danger is the constant here,

Noise has become my friend, 

Living and dying for a nation, 

Metal spreading through our bones, 

Removing limbs, we cease to be, 

Trying to do our part, we can no more,

Blood and bones on a battlefield, 

Eyes imploring, please help me, 

Mouths hanging open, unmoving, 

Lord give me air, peace and safety home, 

Just another dead amongst thousands, 

Broken limbs blasted from our bodies, 

Lying in our trenches, tatters of cloth, 

One man left forever wounded, dead, 

Surrounded by stale dying air, 

Thousands of bullets, empty, covering,

In the bodies of my friends and foes, 

Silently reminding me of my days,

It could easily be my very last, 

Living and dying for my nation, 

The voices of men singing in ears,

Barely heard above the noise of guns, 

Only to be another dead body on the ground.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

No beauty in war. Your poem told the truth. No-one win in war and both sides pay in the payment of their youth and money wasted. The old wars were terrible and today. Our soldiers are fighting deadly war for 20 years in the USA. Thank you Willa for sharing your powerful poetry.
Coyote

[John the Baptist]

The 2nd Battle of Ypres was where poison gas was used for the first time in warfare. The poem captures the horrors of The Great War very well. Also, I'd say the museum served its educational purpose very well.

[WillaDanvers]

It was a very informative visit indeed!