In Unspeakable States

The soldier looked out
To a landscape defiled,
And wondered, was he in hell.
Around him men lay
In unspeakable states,
Ravaged by bullet and shell.

How could this be
These men so alive
Now lay there dead in the mud,
His comrades and friends
Had suffered and bled,
Amid their corpses, he stood.

He thought why not him
For he had went too
Over the top with his mates,
Into the maelstrom
They went forward as one.
Now they lay, in unspeakable states.








Entry for STANDARD CONTEST NO 75,
ANY FORM OR NONE,ANY THEME,
UP TO A MAX OF 20 LINES - Poetry Contest 
16/3/2018,   Placed 1st.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Sands Avatar
March 29, 2018 at 2:15 PM
This really reaches the reader deeply! Well done Gary :)
Smith Avatar
March 29, 2018 at 4:12 PM
Thank you Heidi :)
Barden Avatar
March 23, 2018 at 7:49 PM
Congratulations on your win, Gary - keep up the great work! :-)
Smith Avatar
March 23, 2018 at 8:03 PM
Thank you Gregory :)
Rodrigues Avatar
March 19, 2018 at 9:18 PM
A despondency as the survivor! Congrats!
Smith Avatar
March 20, 2018 at 4:33 AM
Thank you Kim :)
Dietrich Avatar
March 19, 2018 at 3:02 PM
This one leaves such an impact. I love it and I see congratulations are in order!! Way to go in Brian's contest.
Smith Avatar
March 19, 2018 at 5:49 PM
Thank you Andrea :)
Gauthier Avatar
March 19, 2018 at 10:19 AM
A very emotive poem, Gary. Well done and congrats on your top win.
Smith Avatar
March 19, 2018 at 11:04 AM
Thank you Line :)
Leiser Avatar
March 19, 2018 at 9:50 AM
Your well chosen words captured the horror of death and war so well, Gary. Very moving poem! Congrats on your win!
Smith Avatar
March 19, 2018 at 11:04 AM
Thank you Laura :)
Canerdy Avatar
March 19, 2018 at 8:53 AM
Very moving WINNING poem, Gary! Janice
Smith Avatar
March 19, 2018 at 9:19 AM
Thank you Janice :)
Ashley Avatar
March 16, 2018 at 6:20 PM
Powerfully expressed remorseful introspection offered by your war-ravaged soldier Gary. A heartfelt and harrowing poem. Superb poetry. ~Susan
Smith Avatar
March 16, 2018 at 6:29 PM
How kind Susan, thank you :)
Godwin Avatar
March 16, 2018 at 4:05 PM
I have felt this exact 'feel' during most all war movies, different wars in different centuries or decades, but the same feel. I know it has haunted many military survivors their entire lives. A poem that needed to be written you have have written as it needed to be. All the best ... CayCay
Smith Avatar
March 16, 2018 at 4:10 PM
Thank you CayCay :)
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