Home » Poems » Robert Lindley » As His Young Fan Stood, Terror In His Heart

As His Young Fan Stood, Terror In His Heart

As His Young Fan Stood, Terror In His Heart

Coming home from war a different man
his only son, by far his biggest fan.
Yet horror of war deaths in his mind dwell
death of his brothers, war's mad, raging hell!

Blood and guts in war's horrific display
screams in dying, as they began to pray.
Helpless to save brothers, his dearest friends
brought violent seizures, gut wrenching bends.
As his young fan stood, terror in his heart
nothing helped, no wisdom could he impart.

One more victim of war stood there in fear
afraid that his father's death had drawn near.
With God's love and grace he said, "Son, please pray
for the blessing that you'll not face war someday."

Robert J. Lindley, 10-16-2017
Sonnet, (War Horrors And Its Aftermaths)

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Pashang Salehi

Date: 1/22/2018 12:44:00 AM

Very nice well penned. .

Robert Lindley

Date: 10/29/2017 11:05:00 AM

First- Thanks to all that have comment. I appreciate that very much. I am not fully recovered but I am getting there.

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 10/27/2017 11:16:00 AM

Wonderfully intelligent and poignant write, my friend - this cries out on so many different levels, and this is, in my opinion, a subject that needs much more attention. I love the rhythm and flow, and the subject matter cuts deep. Superb, Rbert!

Maria Williams

Date: 10/24/2017 6:29:00 AM

Wow Robert what an amazing write. You have captured the emotion so well here of the horror of war and the grim aftermath. Brilliant as always dear friend....Maria

Jan Allison

Date: 10/23/2017 4:58:00 PM

such a moving sonnet Robert,the final couplet is something we can all hope will happen and we can have peace:-) hugs Jan xx

Keith O.J. Hunt

Date: 10/23/2017 4:39:00 PM

Great write Robert with a great message; love the last line:-)

Gary Bateman

Date: 10/23/2017 2:40:00 PM

Robert, Excellent Work with this sonnet!! The passion and emotion of this write certainly stand out as you touch on the horrors of war and the price they exact on those caught up in the terror of war and warfighting. Very Wise Words indeed!! Best Always, Gary

Patricia Cresswell

Date: 10/23/2017 1:51:00 PM

This has touched my heart truly the lesson it teaches has never been heard by those who start wars. I hope many pay close attention to its warning.

Lin Lane

Date: 10/23/2017 12:00:00 PM

Witnessing the throes of war in the deaths of those he knew was a life-altering experience. What horror those men must live with for the rest of their lives. Well written, Robert.

John Gondolf

Date: 10/23/2017 11:46:00 AM

I can feel the father's anguish, Robert. I grew up in the Vietnam era, however I didn't go on active duty until June of '71 so fortunately I didn't have to experience the horrors of war.

Paul Callus

Date: 10/23/2017 8:33:00 AM

It is said that after returning from war a soldier is never the same man he was before, and this sonnet goes to show how true this is, Robert. Here we have 2 views of war's effects...through the father's and son's eyes and feelings. Why has it come to a point that we have to fight to obtain peace!! Regards, my friend. // paul

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart

Date: 10/23/2017 8:09:00 AM

You have so delicately touched upon the long reach of a war, I like how drawn into the title I was somewhat expecting sport to be the theme and I wasn't far off, war is a sport, the chiefs of power wielding the lives of their players. Well done my friend. Bless :) xomo

Michael Tor

Date: 10/22/2017 11:56:00 PM

Robert a heartfelt write. A sonnet describing the depravity of war and a fathers concern about his son facing war. Wars are started for financial gains at the expense of brave men and women.

Carole Duet

Date: 10/22/2017 9:03:00 PM

Wonderful poem, Robert, with realistic and honest sentiments depicting the hellish nightmare of war ... both before and afterwards.

Charlie Smith

Date: 10/22/2017 8:38:00 PM

Being a VN vet this speaks to me in so many ways, that being said I wouldn't wish war on any generation, but it seems unavoidable. I hate to think what this world would be like if evil was never confronted. Well written friend Robert...

Janice Canerdy

Date: 10/22/2017 8:30:00 PM

You have movingly described the widespread effects--and aftereffects--of war. Those who fight will never be the same; nor will their loved ones! Janice

Edward Mccall

Date: 10/22/2017 8:21:00 PM

You have written an incredibly powerful poem Robert. there is so much truth here so much honesty; sad but very well written my friend.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 10/22/2017 7:22:00 PM

Not only is this a beautiful sonnet, the story and emotion here is outstanding! A great poem!

Susan Ashley

Date: 10/22/2017 6:27:00 PM

A gripping poem Robert, from the first two lines. Heartrending and written with sensitivity about war's violent and traumatic reach coming home with his father and impacting his son's life in such a negative way. Very poignant in view that his son is his dad's biggest fan and sees, to his horror what war has done to his dad..,such insightful sadness flows from your pen. Well done! Good luck in the contest!

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 10/22/2017 6:12:00 PM

A very poignant poem, Robert. It bespeaks of the collateral damage to the souls of men who live thru the horrors of war. A very honest and realistic portrayal of war. You pen writes necessary truth. War is never the answer ... as you yourself know all to well, it can't solve the sin problem bedeviling man. Absolute gem of a sonnet. A true spiritual romantic sonnet, which reveals your love for humanity. Love and many more blessings of love.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/22/2017 5:21:00 PM

I really enjoyed your sonnet, Robert. The length of a sonnet is just perfect and it looks like this one is for Craig's contest? I hope to see this with a win, my friend!

Constance La France

Date: 10/22/2017 2:56:00 PM

Robert, your Sonnet touched my heart deeply, so many men and women come home with the horrors of war, scarred for life, having nightmares and flashbacks, you depicted the tragedy of war perfectly, well done, 10+

Silent One

Date: 10/22/2017 2:10:00 PM

An excellent sonnet about the horrors of war.. This is written very well with good rhymes and flow.. I do not like war movies, but I watched Hacksaw Ridge the other day, wow, it really opens your eyes to the horrors of war and also highlights the lack of regards to life, soldiers are just used as pawns for governments to rule..