Blood And Stone

For our fallen brethren this November 11th.

Poppies lean against white stone
heart-red sentries stand alone,
fallen soldiers now here lie
gone without their last goodbye.

There are those that still remember
these fallen souls this November.
Gold star mothers softly cry
and wonder why they had to die.

Against forgotten winds of yore,
fought and died far from our shores.
We owe them more than mere bouquets.
feel deep their loss this Armistice Day.

Author's Note

Armistice Day (which overlaps with Remembrance Day and Veterans Day) is celebrated every year on 11 November to commemorate the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918.

And that is why it is always celebrated on the 11th of the month and the day or date is never moved to make a long weekend like most other holidays.

Reviews

[redflutterby]

I'm a member if the VFW ladies auxiliary as my grandmother was for so many years. Every year I get my poppy's...they mean so much and the money donated goes to a wonderful cause. We should never forget our veterans...their sacrifice can't be measured.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks for commenting Red.

[icelandicblue]

And you are right there is no way to adequately measure or express the sacrifices made by the soldiers and by their families.

[Jack...]

We owe them everything Anne. This was perfect and it makes me proud. So happy you are my friend.

[icelandicblue]

Yes we do Jack. Thank you.

[Pryde Foltz]

We owe them more than mere bouquets.
feel deep their loss this Armistice Day

We owe them peace. Hard to come by. Wonderful peace.

[icelandicblue]

I think in the first two world wars peace was the ultimate goal unfortunately the road to it was through war. Both wars were wars of aggression by a country looking to expand its borders and more and in the second world war a country bent on world domination and extermination was at the forefront of the destruction. The face of war has changed, especially as ideologies and weapons have changed. Peace has always been the most elusive of birds and it would be the most befitting gift for the world yet since the dawn of man we have not figured out how to find it, never mind catch it.

[Pryde Foltz]

I think an approach in the meantime would have countries sign non-aggression pacts with each other. Dispel the myth that it's good for economy. War only benefits those who supply the war machine for the rest of us it means a down-turn. Tie money to peace and we got a winner.

[icelandicblue]

And that's why we should invest our money in companies that promote social progress and are not always worried about the bottom line. I am aware WWII got us out of the depression but we didn't plan it that way. It's a complex problem that needs change at the top of the pyramid as well as the bottom.

[Pryde Foltz]

It may have gotten the US out of the depression, and Canada, as suppliers of raw material and weapons for the war machine, but not so much for the rest of the world. Things didn't really turn around until after the war. But yes, support ethical companies and ethical practices are the way out. Non-aggression pacts and ethical free-enterprise is probably the best chance we have.

[icelandicblue]

No question, much of Europe was in shambles and that turn around in the economy helped to rebuild the continent. The Marshall Plan made Japan a powerhouse economically. Germany was destroyed, and punished after WWI so much so that it allowed someone like Hitler to rise to power and spread his hate. I don't have any easy answers except to say that we need to be kinder to each other personally, less greedy and think long and hard who we vote for and to be aware as to what money is supporting their campaigns but people look at the shell of the candidate and vote for the one they "like" better. Many do not look at the big picture, they are too concerned with their own self interests. How do we change that? Memories are long and hard around the world...we can't undo the Crusades and you can't tell me that that didn't start the long road to where we are today. There are thousands of years to undo. It is a daunting task.

[Pryde Foltz]

I guess that is what psychologists and, dare I say, poets are for. Keep writing; if just one person catches on, it will grow from there. You never know when you may be the voice in the back of someone's head that enacts change for peace. But yes, the ego is a worthy adversary. And so it all starts with the 'proverbial' you and me.

[icelandicblue]

One mind, one voice at a time.

[Pryde Foltz]

Yep…………. You don't have to change the world just your mind and few others.

[Sheila Kline]

Yes, it seems that they tried to change the date to accommodate the 3 day week-end idea and the vets put up enough opposition that it could not be changed - good for them!!

Your poem fills my mind with images of those so very far away who died in a land that was not their own and are buried there. May we ever remember the ultimate sacrifice they have made for us and future generations!

Your poem is lovely and a fitting tribute to all who have fought and died!! The poppy is one of my favorite flowers and partially because it is a reminder of this day!!

[icelandicblue]

What a beautiful comment. I know that this is near and dear to your heart Sheila.

[J. J. Nightingale]

A wonderful tribute ...

Well done !

Jazz.. ♥

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for commenting.

[J. J. Nightingale]

You r welcome... :) ..J.

[s y e]

This beautiful Anne - we had this beautiful, heart breaking service in school on Friday that had me in tears. We miss the whole for this service. We go into the assembly and the head girl tells about one specific who went to our school and left for the war, then we sing a hymn, listen to the piano and bagpipes and take a 15 minute silent walk to the library where they have all the names of the people who went to my school and died in the war.

This is amazing. Lovely job.

[icelandicblue]

It sounds both moving and lovely. We should never forget those who sacrificed so that we could live our lives as free people.

[Gleb Zavlanov]

A brilliant tribute to all those brave souls who put themselves in danger to keep their loved ones safe. Bravo!

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much Gleb. The brave souls who have sacrificed themselves for us should never be forgotten.

[Tom]

My poppy is already pinned to my breast and there it will stay until after the 11th of this month !

A tremendous, personal, poetic tribute to the brave fallen heroes of the great wars !

'Lest we forget' !

[icelandicblue]

I agree Tom that we should never forget. Thank you for commenting.

[Lydia Shutter]

What a heartfelt tribute to the brave men and women who lost their lives protecting our freedoms. I remember when it was called "Armistice Day". Not many people around today who had friends and family die in that war, are there? We should all wear a poppy on Monday. Beautifully written....and a well deserved tribute. Lydi**

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Lydi* I was a history major so I forget that I have squirreled away details long since lost. I've added an author's note to explain the meaning and how it came to be. My dad was the last person I knew who served in that war. WWII vets were the norm growing up and it is sad to see the greatest generation slowly fade away. Thanks for your wonderful review.

[Lydia Shutter]

Actually, Armistice Day was for the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.....when WWI ended. My father fought in WWII also....but my grandfather fought in the Dutch army in WWI.....so many wars, so many veterans' lives lost.

[Jordan]

I love the way you expressed it...

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Jordan.