Brotherly Love

Those who live forever bonded round a fire and hearth, spin their tales Are stories truly worth the cost of a poor mother's cries and wails

Two friends upon a battlefield

one left on the ground as he dies

In a foxhole, the other sits

listening to his mate's poor, cries

 

The first man wanted to save his mate

but the Sergeant said, not to go

"You'll only kill yourself instead"

"I can't leave him that's all I know"

 

The Sergeant went to turn away

as the first man dove from the hole

"I have to save my friend," he said

"if it costs my immortal, soul"

 

Minutes later he slid back in

clutching his dead friend, in his arms

Mortally wounded, he was now

blood was pouring, from both forearms

 Laid to rest within his friends arms

"a waste" said the Sergeant, to some

"When I found him, he was alive

his last breath said" "I knew you'd come"

 

Those who live forever bonded

round a fire and hearth, tell the tales

Are stories told, worth the cost

of a poor mother's, cries and wails

 

Ask a man to die for country

he will die for his friend instead
But no matter why it happens

the poor man is still surely dead

 

Could we strive to be something more

than a tombstone, upon the ground

Is death the true test of friendship

when Taps plays, the ultimate sound

 

If we don't learn to love, brothers

extinction will be how Man ends

It's hard to live a life of pride

at the cost of so many friends

 

 

Author's Note

Christ said " No greater love has any man than to lay down his life for a friend"
While war seems the ultimate test of this tenant. It is the ultimate shame of humanity. While I see the need of it in WW1 and WW2. These skirmishes since have been needless waste. Humanity will destroy itself if it doesn't stop this. If we don't find the way to forgo war we will all surly die from the shame of it. The countless women and children killed by it are enough reason.

Reviews

[BrynnaW.]

Scenes of war just draw me in for some reason. I really enjoyed reading this. In memory for all those that have fallen in war, I bow my head... Very well written. I was captivated by your poem. Thank you for sending this to me. Good job and keep on writing!

[Branch Isole]

A moving piece for those who may never have seen combat.

[Caitlin Lea]

I find this poem to be flawless in execution. You seem to be quite adept at maintaining a strict rhythm that does not sound contrived. In fact, you have succeeded in forming these ideas into profound and beautiful phrases. My favorite is:

Ask a man to die for country
he will die for his friend instead
But no matter why it happens
the poor man is still surely dead

Potent and simple. Quite a good piece all around.

[Larry Dyson]

depends on what one believes Tate...if we live but once and god determines our time of death...what difference does it make ..if we are to die we might as well do it with a flourish?

[SoulCrusader (Yas)]

The wisdom and profound nature of this poem is on another level, I love each stanza and what a great message here :-

"If we don't learn to love, brothers
death will surly be how Man ends
It's hard to live a life of pride
when it cost us the souls of friends"

Brilliant :)

[Sheila Kline]

Your words shall not soon be forgotten as they have zinged my heartstrings! For one to sacrifice life for the sake of their brother, is surely a supreme act of love! May we all strive to life harmoniously with each other!
A beautiful, and touching write Tate!!