(100) A Flame Now Extinquished

I can see the setting of the Sun
I watch a sky turning red
A romantic meal where candles burn
Poetry and beautiful words said

But then I look further at this World
There is a horror I wish I never saw
The terror I can see being hurled
The waste of life in a terrible war

Look at the young couples holding hands
Because now all I see is the colour black
Their love is one everybody understands
What of those young soldiers not coming back ?

Countless graves mark heroes who were not long, boys
Now they are gone, killed by a bomb or a gun
I shake my head at these lives now destroyed
Too many graves are here of men who were young

Show a salute for a man who once was a young lover
Who became a soldier to do what he believed to be right
Now these many young men lay buried next to each other
A flame now extinguished that once burned bright



copyright Chris Smith 2009

Reviews

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

Beauty and Ugliness side by side here in our world. It is all here for the viewing and what we choose to see and feel are up to us. I choose to feel and see it all and try to be optimistic. We can lose ourselves in just beauty and lose touch with reality or we can lose ourselves in the ugliness of our world and lose sight of all beauty. This is where balance comes in.........A wonderful piece my sweet friend.

[Tasha]

this was so amazing Chris. i agree with Neva, you described the beauty and ugliness of the things that happen in our world. you did a great job.

[Siddartha Beth Pierce]

Stunningly penned! So right on time! A favorite for certain...well done and to all those that still fight the fight and those that survived as well! Kudos my friend!

[LA Lorena]

A most beautiful poem as tribute to those fallen. Very well thought out and written Chris, I do believe this is my favourite piece of yours to date.

[Fabric Pulse]

"A flame now extinguished that once burned bright..." So much truth in that. It happens all the time, you hear about it, you witness it. What can we do ourselves to keep people and their flames inside burning on with greatness?

[.]

there is no beauty in war...well written

[Pollyanna]

Growing up, always being taught to do what's right and paying the ultimate price. Wonderful piece, my friend!

[Robin]

your words set my mind adrift in memory of many ..

[anne p. murray- LadeeAn..]

A powerful enigmatic poem. You have paid homage, respect and acknowledgement to all those who have died after fighting for our country.
Beautifully written with dignity and grace yet truthfully spoken about the ugliness in our world.

[Liza]

meaningful and filled with purpose, congrats on making it to your #100 - great idea to keep track - it keeps you motivated too - to see your numbers go up; 100 times inspiration falls upon you...

this was an insightful read to reflect on the lives that allow us to be safe because they fought for our brighter tomorrow - thank you.

[M.Babu]

"Look at the young couples holding hands
Because now all I see is the colour black
Their love is one everybody understands
What of those young soldiers not coming back ?"

What a perfectly written piece. Leaves the readers thinking after they're done reading.

Powerful.

~M.Babu~