Before Their Time

come spring
when climes on skin are cool
when sun is hesitant to rise
there trellised to a garden wall
an evergreen which bursts in bloom
abundant show of lovely heads
dressed finely in deep shades of red

richest velvet ruby flowers
when shaken by a cold March wind
those ruffled lovelies in their skirts
do shiver first then fall below
succumb they do to
unkind ground

to crazy paving old and grey
now covered with a bright display
confetti petals shower down
on raised cracked stones
from yesterdays

yet I recall a spring one year
when snowflakes softly fell at night
morning brought the saddest sight
of blood red petals settled on
a bed of contrast pure and white

and how my eyes did water for
our soldiers of two desperate wars
who fought for freedom land and sea
how willingly they sacrificed
their lives to fight off tyranny
and now I ask what would they say

what would they think if they lived now
would they suppose they died in vain
with all that sorrow all that pain
or would they say for heaven’s sake
our death sans glory no mistake
for given chance we’d die again

Reviews

[Neville]

this is without doubt a mourning song .. not only for those who gave everything, but for seasons past and the cumulative years that are now broke in their passing .. and I am sure, full of truth in its making ..

[Chris Shaw]

It is a mourning song Neville. Especially for those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. I hope they would still think it was worth it. Thank you so much

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Chris

[alexAlexander]

Once again you so elegantly illustrated a beautiful ray of bouquet. I would gladly receive it. And those soldiers would say they would do it all over again. Enjoyed.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks alexAlexander for your visit. I appreciate very much the words you have left here for me. All the best.

Chris

[alexAlexander]

You are one master on this site, with your meticulous craftsmanship. Continue your art. It's breathe to all poets. Alex.

[Chris Shaw]

Those kind words mean alot. Thank you so much Alex.

[Ana Papaya]

A poignant write that grabs the heart and imagination.
What a shame that as much as things change they just as much stay the same - and I think if given the chance to answer , those brave individuals would say they'd do it all again. To stop any evil from spreading, at any given time.

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly we don’t seem to learn from the mistakes of the past Ana. I appreciate very much your thoughtful and wise words. Have a great Monday. With thanks.

Chris

[Dara]

Just as the red petals fell as a result of the late snowfall so did our soldiers in the face of tyranny. The contrast you make and the visuals are superb. I think of the red in the petals compared to the blood shed by our brave men and women who serve and pray their sacrifices are never made in vain. This is a wonderful poem which honors them.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Dara. So pleased you enjoyed this poem. Lovely to find a review from you. Many thanks for stopping by. All the very best.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

An honoring poem of Veterans and their sacrifices that is immeasurable; your poem give them due value and justice. Your comparisons are second to none. To gain glory is to fight for a noble cause, is to liberate the self and others from tyranny, is to share the joy of freedom when applicable.
Wowzy woooo!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami for your thoughtful review. Always good to find you on my page. Have a happy Monday.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome muchly.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree my dear Chris.
"what would they think if they lived now
would they suppose they died in vain
with all that sorrow all that pain
or would they say for heaven’s sake
our death sans glory no mistake
for given chance we’d die again"
I have lost friends to war. I have lost family members to the old war. Today. The freedom, they fought for. Slowly be took away. The Greatest generation would be sadden by this new world. They fought for us to know and keep freedom alive. Powerful and worthwhile words shared my dear friend.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

I find myself thinking of the greatest generation more and more. Thank you dear Coyote for stopping by to share your own thoughts. Have a good Monday.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear chirps, some beautiful images of spring and red roses budding with sunshine…..sometimes we do get snow in April and we all fear our buds will die, some do, some actually bear the strange weather and live on…. Our soldiers are patriots I believe and many would sign up for another stint to serve their country again….a lovely write Chris
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Betty for sharing your thoughts. Always valued and welcome. Have a happy Thursday. read moreThank you dear Betty for sharing your thoughts. Always valued and welcome. Have a happy Thursday.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome my friend, happy Thursdsy to you
Warmly, B

[Pete]

sharp imagery. hope springs eternal. we had some snow last week and was strange seeing daffodils amidst it. patience is a virtue and all in due time. freedom is precious and dear as are you and your words.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pete, thank you for your encouragement and your kindness. Have a good Wednesday.

Chris

[Weeping willow]

Wonderfully expressed piece, with lots of images to follow your words ;-}

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Weeping willow. Pleased you stopped by to share your thoughts.

Chris

[Arundass TP]

Your focus on climate transition is very attractive. Excellent writing.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Arundass for stopping by.

Chris