Notes About The Poem

Two opposing soldiers in no man's land when the guns fell silent.

And Then the Guns Fell Silent

And then the guns fell silent
Smoke and death were in the air
The sounds of echoed silence, 
so many dead were everywhere
Your eyes were tired and weary 
but you did not dare break your stare
Friends and comrades lie around us, 
the trigger fingers still stayed prepared

I watched you drop your weapon. I 
dropped mine too then and there.
We walked slowly towards each other, 
so tired and filthy, blood splatters 
everywhere.

We stopped and looked deep at each 
other. Now men again, you raised 
your hand, shaking weak and frail. 
We didn't speak. No words, no 
more commands.

I just grabbed you and pulled you 
closer and hugged you like I'd never 
hugged before.
We both cried as we stood hugging 
each other. No man's land now fully clear.
I wiped away my tears and turned my 
head on your shoulder and saw a sight 
I never wanted to disappear. Enemies 
crying together. Enemies shaking hands 
and hugging in the dead lands of war.

I'd never felt such overwhelming emotion. 
Nerves shattered and broken, scars all 
over and in my mind. When we came to 
let go of each other, I just couldn't believe 
that we'd survived.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Buehler Avatar
December 1, 2019 at 7:41 PM
What a beautiful scenario is depicted in your poem, and how delightful it would be if it happened! A wonderful dramatic verse, Yorkshire Poet! :)
Poet Avatar
December 2, 2019 at 2:18 AM
Hi Evelyn, Thanks very much. It makes you wonder doesn’t it? Cheers.
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