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Civility

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Red hair protruding from the soldier’s cap Bright sun and heat, his freckles clearly seen How peacefully the lad appears to nap Mae Caulfield moans while searching for her teen Too young her son to know what he fought for The gun they gave him longer than his legs Already two sons dead; they wanted more And soldiers care not how a mother begs This “Civil” War is anything but that Mae sighs on seeing bodies strewn about She finds her ginger boy, removes his hat Dry crust against his ear where blood poured out His gun still loaded, Mom fires one more shot Now two graves will complete the Caulfield plot Written January 1, 2019

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Andrew Fairchild

Date: 2/18/2019 8:44:00 PM

This takes the horror and 'bigness' of war away, and leaves only the sweet, tragic story of a mother and her blessed child. Who are we, that we kill, and justify it! There was an old Peter, Paul and Mary song called, that fell somewhat along this line, 'Three Ravens' (don't worry, the Ravens lost out). You make the experience human by its tenderness. Thank You!

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 2/1/2019 5:44:00 PM

Hello Carolyn, war is cruel. Innocent people .getting kill, is not right. Have a nice evening my friend.

Aniruddha Pathak

Date: 1/31/2019 1:54:00 AM

Civility, devastation of war and the aftermath, I can well empathise with the words of this piece-- my only son is a fighter pilot. The poem is well writ.

James Marshall Goff

Date: 1/30/2019 5:55:00 PM

Wow...fell hard into this great write!

Sandra L. Weiss

Date: 1/30/2019 11:03:00 AM

This one hits you hard! War, devastation upon devastation, outside and within, how does anyone survive? So moving, so sad, so real. Congrats Carolyn!

John Hamilton

Date: 1/23/2019 8:47:00 AM

Very moving poem, congrats on a fine win Carolyn!

Vladislav Raven

Date: 1/23/2019 7:13:00 AM

Hi Carolyn, dropping back with my congratulations on your well-deserved win in the contest with this excellent piece. congrats Carolyn. Have a wonderful Wednesday. Hugs....Mike XX

Dale Gregory Cozart

Date: 1/20/2019 11:02:00 AM

How very moving, Carolyn. Congrats.

Charlie Smith

Date: 1/19/2019 11:34:00 AM

Excellent entry Carolyn, congratulations...

Robert L. Hinshaw

Date: 1/19/2019 11:26:00 AM

Congrats for your well-deserved win for this masterpiece, Carolyn! Many thx for your comments re my win. Bob

Eve Roper

Date: 1/19/2019 11:02:00 AM

Carolyn, enjoyed reading this well descriptive and well written poem that arouses strong emotions. Congratulations on your win!:). Hugs Eve ~`*

Gary Smith

Date: 1/19/2019 9:59:00 AM

An excellent poem Carolyn, congrats. :)

Ed Morris

Date: 1/19/2019 9:58:00 AM

This one is so captivating and heartbreaking, Carolyn. Very well written indeed.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 1/21/2019 8:06:00 AM

There is another, shorter, poem by Carl Sandburg called "The Grass" which is equally sad in its reference to soldiers whose lives are forgotten.

Jan Allison

Date: 1/19/2019 9:18:00 AM

Congrats on your win Carolyn to me this is sonnet of the year! :-) hugs Jan xx

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 1/19/2019 9:30:00 AM

Thanks, Jan! I was surprised by the win.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/17/2019 7:32:00 PM

OMG Carolyn, this is REALLY good sonnet writing from you. I've gotta fave this one!! It's exactly what I would choose in a contest like this one for a top winner.

Jan Allison
Date: 1/19/2019 9:19:00 AM

Can't agree with you more Andrea!

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 1/18/2019 11:50:00 AM

Sometimes it seems to help me write if I can create sympathetic characters, rather than approaching a topic like war in a broader sense. thanks for reading!

Lunita Blanca

Date: 1/11/2019 6:57:00 PM

Oh my goodness Carolyn, how sad and dark this writing is. It is moving and at the same time, it sets our souls crying.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 1/11/2019 7:07:00 PM

Thanks for reading.

Paul Callus

Date: 1/8/2019 9:33:00 AM

How sad and tragic this poem is, Carolyn. So many innocent lives lost...so many families grieving! Your poem appeals to emotions and common sense. Love the flow and perfect rhymes. A fav. Hugs // paul

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 1/8/2019 1:16:00 PM

I have always seen fighting to resolve conflict as futile. The presidents I have liked most, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama, won Nobel Peace prizes. They realize there are other ways to settle differences, rather than sacrificing young lives.

Janice Canerdy

Date: 1/7/2019 8:50:00 AM

SO sad, Carolyn--but so skillfully-written. EXCELLENT! Janice

Vladislav Raven

Date: 1/4/2019 10:25:00 AM

Hi Carolyn, this is such a wonderful sonnet, so touching, so strong in the visions it portrays through your excellent words. This is a poem to bring tears to the eyes. Yes, sap here, ended up crying at the end. Must be a New Year thing. Tears, goosebumps, this poem gives it all. This is a definite fave. Reads like a winner. Have a wonderful Friday. Hugs....Mike. XX

Charles Messina

Date: 1/4/2019 4:45:00 AM

OMG, this is bone chilling...and brilliant, Carolyn. I too am blown away by this. The last lines teared my eyes. Great sonnet a winner on my list. Happy New Year...hugs Charlie

Jan Allison

Date: 1/3/2019 4:25:00 AM

Forgive the pun but I'm blown away by your sonnet. THIS is poetry of the highest level Carolyn , I have read it 4 times now and its given me goosebumps. a MASSIVE fave. should be poem of the year!!!:-) hugs Jan xx

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 1/8/2019 1:46:00 PM

Thanks, Jan!

Arthur Vaso

Date: 1/3/2019 3:20:00 AM

and for me this poem is a Winner!!!

Arthur Vaso

Date: 1/3/2019 3:19:00 AM

Its almost as if a third bullet struck, the poem gave me shivers, this for is a a HUGE FAV, when it can touch someone so strongly you know is great poetry!!!

Arthur Vaso

Date: 1/3/2019 3:18:00 AM

Its almost as if a third bullet struck, the poem gave me shivers, this for is a a HUGE FAV, when it can touch someone so strongly you know is great poetry!!!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 1/2/2019 8:13:00 PM

Absolutely stunning ending. This is a memorable sonnet on the subject of war, profound and personal. Sure to be a winner. Bravo. A FAVE. Best wishes, Gershon