Always

The poem of a soldier's girlfriend and/or wife

The sun sets in the west

Like fireworks against the sky

Evening’s chill settles over the world

And I sit by the window to think a while

 

I try to think of other things

But I always find myself

Gazing into the far east

Where you rode off for war

 

You were like the knights in shining armor

In the ancient stories and fairytales

Gone off to defend some helpless kingdom

Or protect some damsel in distress

 

But I know better

Reality is no fairytale

And yet we never speak of it

It remains a bridge we never cross

 

Yet every day I wonder

Do you still draw breath?

Does your heart still beat?

Are you still one and whole?

 

Always, I am haunted

With thoughts of you

Every expression, every word

Reminds me of your face

 

Always I am haunted

With thoughts of you

Every song, every noise

Reminds me of your voice

 

And always, I am haunted

With a single question

The question that kept me awake for countless nights

Do you yet live?

 

There is no glory in battle

No matter what the old songs say

There is nothing but pain and death

And grief and hate on the battlefield

 

Yet what can we do

Against anger and pride?

Against the nature of men?

Against such lasting hate?

 

What can we do

But return their fire?

What can we do otherwise

To protect all that we love?

 

Life’s no fairytale

And the world is cruel

Yet we never speak of the consequences

We never let it go that far

 

Yet every day I wonder

If your blood has been spilt

If you’re think of me

And of this home back here

 

Always I am haunted

With thoughts of you

Every shade, every color

Reminds me of you warm eyes

 

Always I am haunted

With thoughts of you

Every wind, every breeze

Brought me your familiar scent

 

Always, I am haunted

With thoughts of you

Every picture, every painting

Refreshes my memory

 

Always I am haunted

With thoughts of you

And I wish it would stop

Though I can’t live without you

 

Please just leave me be

I don’t want to wonder any more

Please come back or go away

I can’t live like this

 

I can’t live

Knowing you might die

Any second, any moment

Of the day

 

I can’t take this any more

So I’m saying goodbye

But my heart is breaking

Because I’ll love you, always

 

The sun sets in the west

Like fireworks against the sky

Evening’s chill settles over the world

And I sit by the window, thinking

 

A kiss, a smile and a single rose

Remember me, my soldier

Because I’ll always remember you

I promise you with all my heart

 

Because I’ll love you, always

Author's Note

Just wrote this because I was listening to a song and thinking about the bad side of war instead of the glorious, victorious side of it.

Reviews

[Becky]

I liked the repetition at first, but when re-reading it, I thought perhaps it was a bit much, though overall it's a nice effect. I don't really know what to say about that..

On to the poem: It was a good theme. It's a tad bit overdone, but you managed to make it un-cliché. The rhythm is steady and seems like it could make a really good song with a little wordplay.

Overall, good poem!

[Rose of Gondor]

Thanks, I guess. That's three people's note on the reptition, so I suppose I'll go back and edit a bit, although as a general rule I leave poems as they are after I finish them. I understand the idea is cliched and overdone. I tried to make it as original as I could, but as a rule I don't write anything that doesn't come from the heart, and when something's coming from the heart, I have to write it. So forgive me if the theme is a bit overdone. I just had to get it out. :) thank you for your kind words and I will try to review you back soon.

[Serenity Faith]

I rather liked the repetition in this piece, though for others it can be too much. A beautiful poem none-the-less. Many can relate to this. It's almost as if you are the loved one of soldier yourself. I only caught two grammatical errors.
13 stanza, 3rd line "If you're think of me."~ If you're thinking of me
14 stanza, line 4 "Reminds me of you warm eyes."~ Reminds me of your warm eyes
Other than absolutely lovely. ^_^

[Rose of Gondor]

Thanks for the pointers! I shall fish them out! And I'm not the loved one of a soldier, really, but sometimes I feel like it. :D

[Serenity Faith]

anytime ^_^

[Rose of Gondor]

:D Thanks!

[Dean]

I think there is no glorious side of war. But yours is a lovesong, not a war defense.
It's a bit long, and a bit too repetitious, but appealing. The sun setting like fireworks in the sky is an effective simile. Your conversational approach also has merit. Nice to have met you!

[Rose of Gondor]

Thanks! Yeah, true, it is a bit too repetitive, but I did that on purpose. Maybe a little bit too much?

[Dean]

Don't worry. Just keep in touch.

[Rose of Gondor]

:D Thanks!