In the Face of Death
Entry for the contest: World or War: Viet Nam
Author: Elaine Cecelia Geroge, of Canada
Inspired by: the Picture of the soldier’s
carrying their wounded comrade through
the Viet Nam Jungle. In this poem, it is
the soldeir on the left.
~~~~~
I dream of heaven here on earth,
where I walk in meadows green,
in the Blue Ridge Mountains, of Virginia
beside a mountain stream;
where rainbow coloured - wild flowers,
swaye upon a breeze;
and leafy emeralds blossom,
on the limbs of lofty trees.
There in those hills where I was born
‘Heather’ waits for me;
my love, my wife, I see her now
in every breath I breathe.
And I dare not cast my eyes
upon this grim reality;
here in Viet Nam,
where thorns and bards on gnarled trees,
hold me in this hell- hole,
in an endless muddy stream,
filled with blood, and sweat, and tears,
and victories broken dream.
And I dare not free my hands,
to wipe away these tears I cry,
I can not! I must not! for if I do,
my brother dies!
So with every single beat,
of this patriotic heart,
staring in the face of death, I march -
I march through Hell,
And dream of Heaven here on Earth
~~~~~~~
Written: April 17, 2011
Awarded: 4th place
Copyright © Elaine George | Year Posted 2011
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.
Please
Login
to post a comment