An Offering of Poppies

Theme: Bob Dylan's  "Blowing in the Wind" 

An Offering of Poppies

His family stays after the burial of his body. They linger at his grave site, each one lost in their own thoughts of the beautiful young man who gave his life for them and for country. Each one remembers their own special moments with this man whose potential had once seemed so boundless.

 To the war he was forced to go despite his  abhorrence for violence and despite the foreboding that followed him there to that crazy place where sanity was forsaken amidst pandemonium. At times he stood among sentries whose occasional  shots into the dark reverberated beneath a pall of dread and uncertainty.  At other times he witnessed inconceivable horror as blood-sprayed children wailed, kneeling over the torn bodies of their siblings or parents. Long after he had returned to his post, their cries would linger in his mind throughout the night.  Sometimes he was forced to take part in random missions of attacks though he rarely pulled the trigger on his gun. He did not  have to go often into chaos because, sadly, the blast of a bomb claimed his life early on.

 Crimson his blood spilled onto the ground that day as the clamor all around him faded away. . . His mother now lays an offering of  bright red poppies on his grave.
 
utter peacefulness
where his broken body rests. . .
the sentries are trees

Copyright © | Year Posted 2019



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 6/19/2025 7:29:00 PM
Wonderful take on Blowin in the Wind Andrea. I like how you tied the death of a soldier with the intent of the song. Congrats on your placement in my contest
Login to Reply
Date: 2/15/2025 5:55:00 PM
"utter peacefulness where his broken body rests. . . the sentries are trees" absolutely says it all
Login to Reply
Date: 5/26/2019 10:30:00 AM
Hi Andrea: Congratulations on a very poignant but powerful Halibun!
Login to Reply
Date: 5/25/2019 5:05:00 AM
Abhorrence for violence, especially war, reflects what many people express, but politics, greed, and hatred always seem to have it their way. I enjoyed your Haibun, irrespective of what anyone might think. ~ congratulations on placing first. [When I went to enter my poem I found that the contest had closed. ] Regards // paul
Login to Reply
Date: 5/24/2019 9:16:00 PM
You are wasting breath and intelligently presented information on Crowe; he doesn't seek enlightenment but to stir trouble - you respond, he's sated. Your writing is beautiful, dramatic and stirring - all the best ingredients. Haibuns require time some readers don't have but this is worth making time for. I came up with nada for his themes - zip. Admirable writing, Sweetie! Love, CayCay
Login to Reply
Jennings Avatar
CayCay Jennings
Date: 5/24/2019 11:06:00 PM
now I'm appropriately verklempt and want a hug
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 5/24/2019 9:50:00 PM
You are a jewel, Caycay. Nobody could have a better friend than I have in you.
Date: 5/24/2019 5:26:00 PM
beautiful treatment of the horror and aftermath of war. Fittingly done on Memorial Day....
Login to Reply
Date: 5/24/2019 4:41:00 PM
Stunning, powerful imagery in this poignant, excellent piece, Andrea:-) Congratulations on your top win in my contest!
Login to Reply
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 5/24/2019 6:52:00 PM
thanks so much, Edward. I greatly appreciate it.
Date: 5/17/2019 8:04:00 AM
This is so good, Andrea. Great Haibun and write. Good luck in the contest. :)
Login to Reply
Date: 5/9/2019 1:43:00 PM
wow, love this, my friend - very moving
Login to Reply
Date: 5/9/2019 1:16:00 PM
- This writing could well have been a true story ... it shows the true face of the war, Andrea - Winner wishes for you in the contest - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Login to Reply
Date: 5/9/2019 7:18:00 AM
Many mothers everywhere can relate to this pain of loss you describe, Andrea..sad but real as life sometimes tends to be.
Login to Reply
Date: 5/9/2019 3:55:00 AM
A powerful reminder of what war is really like; I wish governments would realize what they do with their money-wars. I dont suppose that they rally care, though. A sad pen but, well done.
Login to Reply
Date: 5/8/2019 9:12:00 PM
War is indeed an ugly thing. Think of the art and music and poetry that never will be written by those now gone. So sad. Have a good night my friend.
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter