Pool of Rememberance

"OUR NATION HONORS HER SONS AND DAUGHTERS WHO ANSWERED THE CALL TO DEFEND A COUNTRY THEY NEVER KNEW AND A PEOPLE THEY NEVER MET."

Shell Shocked and thirsty he lay in a trench
no letters, no love, no sign of a Hench
his date of birth has come and gone
without a word or birthday song

He fights a fight those at home deny
while bullets fly through the air arye
boys his age drink ignorance and bliss
while he sits in a fox hole never been kissed

Sores on his ankles from leeches and fungus
he answered the call "Is there one among us?"
Not a thought did he give for his country so free
now he fights for his life ducking debris

A call out is made from one with more rank
"Run out and prevent any shots from that tank"
he stands knowing he may not survive
so those back at home another day will thrive

Half way through the field he runs
trying to avoid the guns
he takes one in the leg down low
and falls to the ground below

He managed to get three shots off
before he rolled down in a trough
filled with comrades fallen and dead
knowing tonight it will be his bed

The next morning he was dead...
forgotten without a name.

 

Author's Note

So many in the Korean War were and still are treated so badly....many many were forgotten and buried without a name.

Reviews

[Sean Allen]

Thank you for writing this, my father fought in the Korean war, but he came home unhurt. But I guess even those of us who come home then and now from any was are all "Hurt"
I like the flow and the skill with words you have used here.

[emmajoy]

What a superb piece of writing for a superb one of many. Your writing is quite incredible.. you take the reader into the arena to feel the pain. It hurts but then, that's the strength of your words.

Thank you for sharing such a fine poem. Superb!

(Have heard from a friend in the US that veterans are still trying to claim this and that right, just as in this country, England. The powers that be should be ashamed. If it wasn't like someone like you .. amnesia could so easily set in.)

[Alz Alz]

wonderfully written... so powerful.

[An owl on the moon]

Such a powerful, vivid image of the pain and loss so many suffered all for us... Hopes unfulfilled... Lives lost... An amazing reminder for us never to forget...

[Ken Simm.]

The unsung are the true heroes. And you have done the singing for them.