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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

soldierwarsonnet

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John Fleming

Date: 3/28/2020 11:33:00 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
Date: 3/28/2020 1:20:00 PM

Thanks John...

Mark Peterson

Date: 5/11/2019 12:08:00 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
Date: 5/14/2019 9:19:00 AM

Thank you Mark....

Andrew Fairchild

Date: 2/13/2019 12:16:00 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
Date: 2/14/2019 11:18:00 AM

Thank You Andrew...

Oliver Mckeithan

Date: 2/8/2019 3:37:00 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
Date: 2/10/2019 7:51:00 AM

Thank you Oliver, I hope you enjoyed the read...

Curtis Johnson

Date: 1/31/2019 10:29:00 AM

Hi, Charlie. Congrats on 'Best Poems'. Very moving.

Charlie Smith
Date: 1/31/2019 11:20:00 AM

Thank you Curtis...

Carole Duet

Date: 1/29/2019 6:50:00 PM

Great poem, Charlie. So evocative of the emotions felt by a wounded warrior.

Charlie Smith
Date: 1/29/2019 11:52:00 PM

Thank you Carole...

CayCay Jennings

Date: 1/19/2019 2:51:00 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
Date: 1/20/2019 6:46:00 AM

Thank you CatCay...

Susan Jeavons

Date: 1/18/2019 4:56:00 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
Date: 1/18/2019 7:38:00 PM

Thanks again Susan...

Susan Jeavons

Date: 1/17/2019 2:33:00 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
Date: 1/18/2019 6:50:00 AM

I haven’t but thank you Susan...

Nette Onclaud

Date: 1/9/2019 1:30:00 PM

beautifully written with depth and dark anticipation, charlie... may wars end!...huggs

Charlie Smith
Date: 1/10/2019 6:46:00 AM

Thank you Nette...

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 1/9/2019 10:27:00 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
Date: 1/9/2019 11:43:00 AM

Thank you Darlene...

Robert L. Hinshaw

Date: 1/8/2019 5:51:00 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
Date: 1/8/2019 7:00:00 PM

Thank you Bob...

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/7/2019 5:34:00 PM

coming back to say, and it IS wonderful!

Charlie Smith
Date: 1/8/2019 8:28:00 PM

Thanks again Andrea...

Gary Smith

Date: 1/6/2019 8:31:00 PM

So lovely Charlie, much enjoyed. :)

Charlie Smith
Date: 1/6/2019 8:33:00 PM

Thanks Gary...

Alexis Y.

Date: 1/6/2019 8:51:00 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
Date: 1/6/2019 8:55:00 AM

Thank you so much Alexis, Happy New year to you also...

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 1/4/2019 12:43:00 PM

- A sad song, Charlie ... but, so beautifully written :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Charlie Smith
Date: 1/5/2019 9:02:00 AM

Thank you Anne-Lise...

Carole Duet

Date: 1/4/2019 10:16:00 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
Date: 1/4/2019 10:24:00 AM

Thank you Carole...

Vladislav Raven

Date: 1/4/2019 9:07:00 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
Date: 1/4/2019 10:24:00 AM

Thanks as always Mike and Happy New Year to you...