Carolyn Devonshire Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

Civility

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 February 18, 2019 at 8:44 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 February 1, 2019 at 5:44 PM Hello Carolyn, war is cruel. Innocent people .getting kill, is not right. Have a nice evening my friend.

Aniruddha Pathak January 31, 2019 at 1:54 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 January 30, 2019 at 5:55 PM Wow...fell hard into this great write!

John Hamilton January 23, 2019 at 8:47 AM Very moving poem, congrats on a fine win Carolyn!

Vladislav Raven January 23, 2019 at 7:13 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 January 20, 2019 at 11:02 AM How very moving, Carolyn. Congrats.

Charlie Smith January 19, 2019 at 11:34 AM Excellent entry Carolyn, congratulations...

Robert L. Hinshaw January 19, 2019 at 11:26 AM Congrats for your well-deserved win for this masterpiece, Carolyn! Many thx for your comments re my win. Bob

Eve Roper January 19, 2019 at 11:02 AM Carolyn, enjoyed reading this well descriptive and well written poem that arouses strong emotions. Congratulations on your win!:). Hugs Eve ~`*

Gary Smith January 19, 2019 at 9:59 AM An excellent poem Carolyn, congrats. :)

Ed Morris January 19, 2019 at 9:58 AM This one is so captivating and heartbreaking, Carolyn. Very well written indeed. Carolyn Devonshire January 21, 2019 at 8:06 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 January 19, 2019 at 9:18 AM Congrats on your win Carolyn to me this is sonnet of the year! :-) hugs Jan xx Carolyn Devonshire January 19, 2019 at 9:30 AM Thanks, Jan! I was surprised by the win.

Andrea Dietrich January 17, 2019 at 7:32 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 January 19, 2019 at 9:19 AM Can't agree with you more Andrea! Carolyn Devonshire January 18, 2019 at 11:50 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 January 11, 2019 at 6:57 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 January 11, 2019 at 7:07 PM Thanks for reading.

Paul Callus January 8, 2019 at 9:33 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 January 8, 2019 at 1:16 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 January 7, 2019 at 8:50 AM SO sad, Carolyn--but so skillfully-written. EXCELLENT! Janice

Vladislav Raven January 4, 2019 at 10:25 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 January 4, 2019 at 4:45 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 January 3, 2019 at 4:25 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 January 8, 2019 at 1:46 PM Thanks, Jan!

Arthur Vaso January 3, 2019 at 3:20 AM and for me this poem is a Winner!!!

Arthur Vaso January 3, 2019 at 3:19 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 January 3, 2019 at 3:18 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 January 2, 2019 at 8:13 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

Harry Horsman January 2, 2019 at 4:51 PM Oh, wow this is so moving, and yes it tells of the futility of war, amazing poetry, Carolyn....Happy New Year

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