Remember When

This is a Remembrance day Canadian national winning poem 1984 - The Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance day is November 11 - to all the veterans and their loved ones - from the heart

"I remember when," he said
"Do you?"
I have never smelled the stench
the bloody hell of war -
"No, I do not remember when," I said
They died for me
my freedom!
"I wish I could remember," I screamed
but it was barely a whisper
"Why?" he cried,
but i had to strain my ears to hear him
if we, the young, only knew ...
"Yes," he said with a smile,
and a tear ran down his cheek
then maybe no one would ever have to die
for the precious freedom
we all take for granted.
"I remember when," he said,
"Do you?"

Author's Note

I switched out but for Yet and changed my capitalization, but this is the same poem as it was then
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dr_kyEMD024/TNxaoOZLZ2I/AAAAAAAAC2Q/lJ23bKN57YI/s1600/Poppy-Field.jpg

Reviews

[Chris]

"...yes...", he said...
too damn softly
- and the eyes ...the eyes
1000 yards ... filled ...
and there is no breathing
none
when it happens...
and you wish so hard
you didn't cry.

Empathy is living in the moment - isn't it? Sometimes it is a life's experience and others - well, perhaps it's understanding inside what it means to feel and being able to.

Remember When - is a piece that empowers ...hope - for children's tomorrows ...least to me.