Charlie Smith Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

 

A Soldiers Song

I taste an emptiness of love
and weep from pain, in loss befall.
Hope flees in fields of light above
when time casts me its eternal pall.

As darkness dims the flame of life
with words of love left never said,
Could one escape this misty strife?
Does peace live only with the dead?

I marched to anthems meant for kings
and bled for cause, as told I must. 
What voices now with courage ring,
as I lie face down in the dust?

While glory waits as cities burn,
who'll chant for me if I return?

12/31/2018

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John Fleming March 28, 2020 at 11:33 AM "Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori": "it is sweet and fitting to die for one's country" - Horace. Poem "Dulce et Decorum Est" written by Wilfred Owen...killed by a sniper almost one hour to the week just before the signing of the Armistice ending the Great War; he was regarded as WW1's finest war poet. I highly commend his poem to you, Charlie. My best regards! :) john P.s enjoyed your excellent sonnet I might add. Charlie Smith March 28, 2020 at 1:20 PM Thanks John...

Mark Peterson May 11, 2019 at 12:08 AM You outdid yourself with this treasure, Charles. I wrote something with similar intent: In the Graveyard of Soldiers, but I hope you’ll look at my latest: Alone. I treasure your visits and comments. Charlie Smith May 14, 2019 at 9:19 AM Thank you Mark....

Andrew Fairchild February 13, 2019 at 12:16 PM 'bled for cause, as told I must'. This reminds me strongly of 'Dulce and Decorum Est' -- can't remember that poet's name. So sad! Such a deep and personal look at the costs of war. Charlie Smith February 14, 2019 at 11:18 AM Thank You Andrew...

Oliver Mckeithan February 8, 2019 at 3:37 PM Hello Charlie, Moving poem. I served in the military at the tail end of Vietnam never saw combat or went overseas but saw many vets come back to lousy treatment from a good many civilians and from the government that sent them to a useless war. Your poem echoes those sentiments. Charlie Smith February 10, 2019 at 7:51 AM Thank you Oliver, I hope you enjoyed the read...

Curtis Johnson January 31, 2019 at 10:29 AM Hi, Charlie. Congrats on 'Best Poems'. Very moving. Charlie Smith January 31, 2019 at 11:20 AM Thank you Curtis...

Carole Duet January 29, 2019 at 6:50 PM Great poem, Charlie. So evocative of the emotions felt by a wounded warrior. Charlie Smith January 29, 2019 at 11:52 PM Thank you Carole...

CayCay Godwin January 19, 2019 at 2:51 AM Thought it would end with, 'who'll chant when I do not return," so you surprised me that he might live. That's a good thing. I felt sure he was dying, so desperate and poignant were his thoughts that I felt each line. War is only one thing: sad, and this soldier captures that. I'm glad to learn you've posted more than I had realized. All the best, Charlie ... CayCay Charlie Smith January 20, 2019 at 6:46 AM Thank you CatCay...

Susan Jeavons January 18, 2019 at 4:56 PM Charlie had to add more. This poem was sad but had a nice cadence to it. Ah war, a thing I so abhor... Charlie Smith January 18, 2019 at 7:38 PM Thanks again Susan...

Susan Jeavons January 17, 2019 at 2:33 PM Charlie, I was touched by this poem. I hope you have shared it with veterans, as I know they would appreciate it. And I agree with Nette, may wars end! Charlie Smith January 18, 2019 at 6:50 AM I haven’t but thank you Susan...

Nette Onclaud January 9, 2019 at 1:30 PM beautifully written with depth and dark anticipation, charlie... may wars end!...huggs Charlie Smith January 10, 2019 at 6:46 AM Thank you Nette...

Darlene De Beaulieu January 9, 2019 at 10:27 AM Hello Charlie, the soldier has a rough time of it, not knowing if he he will return. Have a nice day my friend. Charlie Smith January 9, 2019 at 11:43 AM Thank you Darlene...

Robert L. Hinshaw January 8, 2019 at 5:51 PM A masterful verse from the Master of Verse. Congrats for having your poem listed in greatest and latest 100 list, Charlie - Bob Charlie Smith January 8, 2019 at 7:00 PM Thank you Bob...

Andrea Dietrich January 7, 2019 at 5:34 PM coming back to say, and it IS wonderful! Charlie Smith January 8, 2019 at 8:28 PM Thanks again Andrea...

Gary Smith January 6, 2019 at 8:31 PM So lovely Charlie, much enjoyed. :) Charlie Smith January 6, 2019 at 8:33 PM Thanks Gary...

Alexis Y. January 6, 2019 at 8:51 AM Hi Charlie, You've penned such a sad song. The line that got me was" Does peace only live with the dead?" Great poety! I wish you the best of luck in the contest. Happy New Year's to you and loved one's :-) Alexis Charlie Smith January 6, 2019 at 8:55 AM Thank you so much Alexis, Happy New year to you also...

Anne-Lise Andresen January 4, 2019 at 12:43 PM - A sad song, Charlie ... but, so beautifully written :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Charlie Smith January 5, 2019 at 9:02 AM Thank you Anne-Lise...

Carole Duet January 4, 2019 at 10:16 AM Wonderful, Charlie! Filled with sad but authentic emotion that I felt as I read this. And, good luck in the contest. It's a winner IMO. Charlie Smith January 4, 2019 at 10:24 AM Thank you Carole...

Vladislav Raven January 4, 2019 at 9:07 AM Hi Charlie, this is a most wonderful poem my friend. We must always remember the fallen as well as the living. Your poem is beautiful in its sadness and reality. Charlie, it has been an honour to read such meaningful thoughts this afternoon. Good luck in the contest my friend. Your words touch the heart deeply. A fave. Have a wonderful Friday. Wishing you a Happy New Year my friend. Your friend always....Mike. Charlie Smith January 4, 2019 at 10:24 AM Thanks as always Mike and Happy New Year to you...

M. L. Kiser January 3, 2019 at 9:13 PM Quite a profound poem. Well done. Charlie Smith January 5, 2019 at 9:02 AM Thank you M.L.

Kim Rodrigues January 2, 2019 at 8:39 PM For sure, many perhaps most of the courageous do not see the glory but we must resurrect the dead and let them shine. Charlie Smith January 3, 2019 at 4:09 AM Thank you for the visit !Kim...

Connie Marcum Wong January 2, 2019 at 6:09 PM This poem embraces the forfeit of life so beautifully Charlie. Your ending is superb! Blessings for a very happy new year my friend! xxoo : ) Charlie Smith January 3, 2019 at 4:08 AM Thank you Connie...

Andrea Dietrich January 2, 2019 at 1:15 PM This is really nice, Charlie. Unless the judge is judging strictly by lines with ten syllables, this should be a big winner! Charlie Smith January 3, 2019 at 4:07 AM Thank you Andrea, this one just came out mostly 8 syllables; it is what it is...

Bobby May January 2, 2019 at 10:17 AM WOW! I love this, very well done my friend! Charlie Smith January 3, 2019 at 4:03 AM Thank you Bobby, glad you like it...

Arthur Vaso January 2, 2019 at 5:27 AM This is also a great reason why we must never be silent, and speak up, even in poetry! Charlie Smith January 2, 2019 at 8:56 AM You are right, thanks again Arthur...

Arthur Vaso January 2, 2019 at 5:25 AM Amazing, this is a fav for me, a topic dear to the heart and such a well written poem! Charlie Smith January 2, 2019 at 8:55 AM Thank you Arthur...

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