John Michaels Poet Alliteration

For the Fallen In Flanders Field

Famished and flagging footsoldiers;
facing fatigue, fitful fever,
faeces and foul, foetid fungi.
Fostering feelings, frustrated,
for this faraway, foreign field.

Forays so fraught with fine failure;
forfeiting furtive and fiendish,
fatally fettered from the first.
Forged by such fatuous fawners,
for folly to feud for a field.

Forced forwards with fleetness of foot;
firearms flash and fragments fly far,
feigning the firmament aflame.
Forces fight so ferociously,
fratricide set free on this field.

Forthright and filial feelings;
families of fine forefathers,
fought fiercely, for fear we’d forget.
Familiar flora forms focus,
for the fallen in Flanders Field.

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8 syallables on every line (www.howmanysyllables.com)
November 2018

Entered in Brian Strand's "Contest No 515".
(1st Place)

I wanted to do something special - and a bit different - to mark the centenary of the end of The Great War (11 November 1918).  This poem is dedicated to all the brave souls lost defending freedom during that terrible conflict (and all conflicts since).

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Darlene De Beaulieu November 3, 2019 at 5:19 PM Hello John Micheals, everyone should wear a poppy on November 11th. I always have today I bought one. It is important to pay tribute to these people that lost their lives for us. Have a nice evening my friend.

Michelle Faulkner November 18, 2018 at 1:19 AM Feeling dedication to the fallen of the first world war, very moving read- John Michaels November 19, 2018 at 11:30 AM Thank you so much, Michelle. Kind regards, John.

Paul Callus November 14, 2018 at 4:20 PM I liked your original version, John, but now that I have read this one, I must say that I find this more appealing. Perhaps because the other one was filled to the brim and overflowing, if you know what I mean:) // paul John Michaels November 14, 2018 at 4:23 PM Thanks, Paul. I *do* know what you mean - sometimes less is more!! All the best, John.

Vladislav Raven November 12, 2018 at 4:10 PM Hi John, dropping by with my congratulations on your win with this excellent poem. have a wonderful Tuesday....Mike. John Michaels November 14, 2018 at 4:00 PM That's very kind of you to say so!! I'm grateful for your wonderful comments. Regards, John.

Line Gauthier November 11, 2018 at 7:19 PM Fabulous - fine tribute. Congrats on your top win, John. John Michaels November 14, 2018 at 4:00 PM Thanks so much, Line!! Much appreciated. Regards, John.

Andrea Dietrich November 8, 2018 at 7:22 PM I see you shortened up and I am thinking the last part is changed . I like short poems, so even for publishing, I think this one would go over better for you! John Michaels November 9, 2018 at 5:14 AM Thanks for the comments, Andrea. I really liked my original version but needed to shorten it for a contest's criteria, hence this version, which has some lines omitted and a few moved around. Regards, John.