Trenched.

LEST WE FORGET...............

 

Trenched.

 

The sear of midday's acid heat

paled black mud as guns' battle fervour

cracked ruts in trenched earth.

 

Nothing stirred but eddies of smoke

that smote burnt lips while choking breath

shuddered as life ebbed.

 

The unnumbered lists of lined names 

depict how massive was sacrifice

when sanity died. 

 

War pins no elation on those

who would have won global peace had

not greed beat compassion.

Reviews

[Robert Trakofler]

this is a poignant write especially in these days of so many folks heavily entrenched in politics right now:/ feels like a war is gonna break out here in the states any day now! If only those that have fallen could whisper a few words to the instigators running the show here

[emmajoy]

Fay, this is one of the finest poetic references to and what happens between two sides when one wants to do what is considered essential. However, what I've never understood, and read within a letter written by a priest was and is, If war is such a good idea why has Humankind fought so many?

Each and every word you've created, every sentiment, speaks out calmly yet with intensity. Your poem is on par with any i've read since a schoolgirl Not going to forget it, Fay.

[Fay Slimm]

I am humbly delighted that you found value in my few lines on Trenched dear emma - - I posted a couple this year as the plight of such boys has always effected my heart and the accounts I have read fill me with compassion for not only those who went to that hell but for the ones left behind of their kith and kin .......... many thanks for your visit and considered review.

[emmajoy]

When at school, know it might read silly, was that we were told about the generation of sweethears who never married. Miss Scott read us an account from a book written by one and it was only in putting together notes for her writing that she allowed herself to cry. I meant what i said to youm kay, your writing is more than first class.

Will find the other two posts as soon as I can and review accordingly. Take care of yourself.

[John the Baptist]

The sentiments voiced in this offering could refer to either world war, but as WW1 was more noted for trench warfare, I believe it is the poem's subject. Without getting into blood drenched specifics, the work fully relates the horrors and the losses of that war. Ypres, the Somme and Verdun are all enclosed within these solemn words. Most pointed is the condemnation of the opportunity lost at Versailles, to which I think the last verse refers. WW2 might have been avoided, along with all that evolved from it.

[Fay Slimm]

Thank you John - yes my aim was to bring to verbal account the missed opportunities back then and the results when millions fell.

[barleygirl]

I'm not into war or violence at all. Many times poets describe "war" the way it used to happen, well-defined engagements with discrete battles. But that isn't what "war" is anymore. It's happening all around us, in every nook & cranny. First-responders are as much "soldiers" as those in the military. That's why I love that your poem does not define "war" in the old-fashioned ways, but your words could also describe our new warlike realities of everyday life! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Fay Slimm]

Sp pleased you saw that inferred point my friend - thank you so much for saying so too........... warmly from Fay

[Neville]

tis the way it was and should never have been ... this is an excellent war poem Fay and gives a real feel and flavour of those awful, almost unimaginable trenches that were home to both sides for far too long ..

[Fay Slimm]

Yes days when the lads were pleased to go soldiering and feel the excitement of travel abroad - oh so sad that so many never came home. thank you dear Nev for seeing what I hoped was a hing of reality in my wordings on Trenched.

[Neville]

They never knew what they were getting into ... no one did in the beginning .... and then, it was far too late ......................