A Drawer of Memories

Medals in a cupboard drawer
Testament of what went before
With his enemy held no score
Boy's turned men, played at war

In blooded field or muddy trench
Gaunt eye's stared from stench
Bone and boot so weary tread
At cannons call prayers are said

From shell holes came human cries
Voices lost in shrapneled skies
Shellshocked victims tied to post
Frontline justice feared the most

Boy's to men , men to ghosts
Not the story that glory boasts
Given the orders did blindly follow
To end all wars a promise hollow

And into the drawer another set
A different time, the same regret
The cost of war just wont relent
The family grieve and loss lament

Son loses father then loses son
How many times since time begun
Still soldiers, sailors children play
From toys to guns a price will pay
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Whitlock-Ishway Avatar
January 2, 2011 at 6:36 AM
Heart wrenching write. So sad that this is our reality. Your presentation is magnificent. Lay
Fraser Avatar
January 26, 2010 at 2:21 PM
War appears to be a nessecity for man Daniel, this is a poem that takes the happening and tragic events to the fore. I have written some war poems, the are on my website > www.thehighlanderspoems.com > if you desire and have time, would you oblige me by leaving a comment on my guest book, situated on the bottom of my home page >> James
Sweetheart Avatar
January 25, 2010 at 7:15 PM
War is hell and awful .. your poem has captured its essence with a special message interwoven... wonderful .. Daniel... luv.. Linda-Marie..
Devonshire Avatar
January 25, 2010 at 8:30 AM
"Boys to men, men to ghosts" is a very "haunting" description of the way we send our innocent youth to the battlefield. This is a beautifully composed and well-rhymed poem that touches our hearts, Daniel. Sometimes at night I feel I can hear their lost voices crying out. Excellent poem for my favorites! Love, Carolyn
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