Ghosts of the Battlefield

Listless touches
graze me
    as I pass
over the wooden bridge,
clouds dancing
   before a three-quarter moon,
about me
       misty faces form
             and dissipate
in the blink of an eye.

      The musty, briny scent
of the marsh
   hangs on the air
      like a heart spoken
broken promise,
tattered flags
        wave in the mist
   on this deathly still night.

         As I enter
the uneven field, 
   images
     of bayonet strikes
  and muzzle blasts
    float before my eyes,
I can almost hear
    the cannon fire,
  smell the acidic smoke,
      feel the concussive blast
rattle through my body.

      Swirls of blue and grey 
  pass in the fog
         as I skim
the edge of the woods,
    off in the darkness,
                  on a hill,
    with a rusting wrought iron gate
crosses are silhouetted
        on the night’s canvas.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Cooper Avatar
November 13, 2008 at 3:07 PM
thank you for your kind words on my work. I also enjoy yours very much.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace