Far Better It Would Be

She watched them from the terrace. Her heart reeled
to see them falling, cut down by the foe.
And her dear husband on that crimson field
was also slain. The sun, blood red, dipped low.
The months have passed. She’s not the only one
of wives bereft with husbands in the ground.
Their farms! How will the heavy work get done?
And when again will the endearing sound
of children’s laughter in the village ring?
Their strongest sons and some young daughters too
were snatched away from them. Great suffering
is all she knows, for little can they do!
Far better it would be if all the town
had perished when their men had been cut down.

Jan. 13, 2019 for  Mark Massey's War Sonnet Poetry Contest
Now for John Hamilton's 2019 Best Sonnet Poetry Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

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Roper Avatar
January 2, 2020 at 11:22 PM
Congratulations on your win in John Hamilton, Best Sonnet Contest. Hugs Eve
Cozart Avatar
January 1, 2020 at 7:18 PM
Beautiful, Andrea. Congrats on your win.
Watt Avatar
January 1, 2020 at 4:09 PM
A heartbreaker! "The sun, blood red, dipped low" says so much. Wonderful meter, rhyme, and enjambment, as always, true sonneteer. Congrats! ~ John
Scars Avatar
January 1, 2020 at 2:01 PM
great sonnet lovely Andrea, congrats and Happy New Year! hugs from across the miles x:-)-luloo
Hamilton Avatar
January 1, 2020 at 1:36 PM
Nice sonnet Andrea, congrats on a fine placement!
Ifeanyichukwu Avatar
March 6, 2019 at 1:43 PM
Lovely poem with express use of special symbolism Andrea..
Cornish Avatar
January 22, 2019 at 7:28 AM
Congrats Andrea, as I read below you thought of centuries ago yet your write reads true through many centuries as fields and meadows became battlefields. Poignant write.
Hinshaw Avatar
January 20, 2019 at 3:49 PM
Outstanding verse, Andrea! This could become a classic - congrats! And thx for your kind comments re my win - Bob
Haight Avatar
January 19, 2019 at 7:36 PM
Very emotional and so well-written, Andrea. You captured the pain of war with your poetic imagery. Congratulations on your podium win! Hugs, Sandra
Fairchild Avatar
January 19, 2019 at 2:33 PM
Yes. War is hardest on the survivors. This flows so naturally, and shows such mastery of the language -- I hope you're not tired of praise! During one of the first battles of the civil war, many of the women went to watch the Northern troops 'whup' the upstart Southerners, only to see so many good men die! Excellent! Tender,, and full of feeling! Really reaches the 'old soldier' in me.
Roper Avatar
January 19, 2019 at 10:56 AM
Andrea, awesome written poem that arouses strong emotions. Congratulations on your win!:). Hugs Eve ~`*
Devonshire Avatar
January 19, 2019 at 9:22 AM
Congratulations on your win, Andrea. So well-deserved! Hugs, Carolyn
Smith Avatar
January 19, 2019 at 8:43 AM
Congratulations Andrea, well done..
Ober Avatar
January 17, 2019 at 1:23 PM
My gosh, how you shine when you write sonnets! You are so good at taking on a voice and writing with such empathy and truth.
Laurie Avatar
January 16, 2019 at 8:17 PM
Hello Andrea … the futility of war leaves victims dead and alive, and for what. Nicely written Andrea - Lindsay
Marcum Wong Avatar
January 16, 2019 at 12:39 AM
Very moving Andrea. War is hell and leaves lives battered. You have expressed it superbly! : ) xxoo
Davey Avatar
January 15, 2019 at 8:39 AM
Yourwrite adds a very sincere, personal touch to the tragedies our war throughout our time. Because war will always be about the ones who suffered from it not about the actual conflict itself.
Bauer Avatar
January 14, 2019 at 4:15 PM
a beautiful and very powerful poem, andrea! best of luck in the contest...
Proxenos Avatar
January 14, 2019 at 11:50 AM
Hi Andrea, What a sad but beautiful poem you have penned my friend. I felt for all the women that lost their husbands, sons and fathers. This is a win - hope you got soup mail. Poetry hugs and wishes, Jenny
La France Avatar
January 14, 2019 at 11:00 AM
Andrea, oh what an emotional poem, you captured the scars of war, best of luck in the contest but this will always and forever be a winner for me ~
Pandit Avatar
January 14, 2019 at 7:56 AM
Your words capture the tragedy of war and its aftermath..so much pain and suffering!
Staton Avatar
January 14, 2019 at 4:14 AM
This piece was filled with great imagery and evoked emotion of sadness. Nicely done!
Y. Avatar
January 13, 2019 at 9:10 PM
Hi Andrea, You've penned such a heartfelt and moving piece on war. People often forget about the other side of war. Wives who lost their husbands and children that lost their father. Although I salute the men and women for their service, war can bring much devastation. You expressed that point very well. I hope to see you on the winners list with this well written write. Best wishes:-) Alexis
Krutsinger Avatar
January 13, 2019 at 8:32 PM
A beautiful poem that explains so many feelings that surface only during war time.
Devonshire Avatar
January 13, 2019 at 7:46 PM
In those days right after World War II, there must have been a lot of single mothers struggling to raise their families after their husbands had lost their lives. You capture the feelings that tormented them so well, Andrea. Best wishes in the War Sonnet contest! I'm sure this will do well. Hugs, Carolyn
Devonshire Avatar
January 13, 2019 at 10:35 PM
When I read "farms," I thought it might be the Civil War, which was fought in areas where people lived and farmed. Certainly the medieval times would work well too. The serfs then had nothing but small pieces of land to work on behalf of the landowners.I imagine if the women and children couldn't make their parcels profitable, they would have been cast out. Nice write, Andrea!
Dietrich Avatar
January 13, 2019 at 8:13 PM
I was picturing the medieval times when they took the young as slaves. Can you imagine the horror of living in those days? thanks for stopping by. I spent the day just writing!!
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