It Runs Red

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A dry and barren moat
around historic tower, London’s pride
for many years in restful dormant mood
dreaming of days gone by
when swords clashed and armour creaked;
the yells and screams of battle filled the air.  
 
Testament of courage and pain;
did those who fought there die in vain?
A dry and barren moat
now back to life to mark Remembrance Day
with a gushing flow of poppies dressed in red
reflecting thoughts of Flanders.

Who dedicates these scarlet blooms,
to souls that rest in earthen tombs?
 
A dry and barren moat 
its open bleeding heart that drips with recollections
of destructive devastation and needless deaths.
 
Governments rise only to fall;
cries still trapped in the tower's wall.
 
A dry and barren moat
where visitors now see the red carpet
in place to praise bravery.
 
Haven't families of lost soldiers
earned a red carpet too?
Let them saunter somberly
above the moat, across the fields.
 
Such is the costly price of war;
buried loved ones we'll see no more.
 
A dry and barren moat
encases the historic tower,
a silhouette reminder at sunset
that no one wins a war.
 
A lone bugle plays taps; 
it resounds through the crisp air.
 
A sad family walks away,
leaving tears on a floral spray.
 
---------------------------------------------------
Paul Callus & Carolyn Devonshire (Nov. 2014)

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015



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Date: 8/6/2016 7:41:00 PM
Just scrolled down to the bottom of your page and found this great write Paul...one of my favorites of yours!:)
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Paul Callus
Date: 8/7/2016 9:50:00 AM
So glad you like it, Chris:) Carolyn and I wrote several poems together, but she has been off Soup for quite a while now, hopefully only temporarily. Regards // paul
Date: 5/16/2016 9:02:00 AM
I am taking your my dear and felt like visiting some of your old poems.. I MUST SAY, I found a gem... I felt a lot for this poem.! No one can ever win a wwar... :(... Faving it... Hugs~red
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Paul Callus
Date: 8/7/2016 9:56:00 AM
I must excuse myself for this late reply to your lovely comments, Red, but somehow your visit must have skipped my attention! It is thanks to Chris above that I got to read it. Thank you....and hope you're keeping well:) hugs // paul
Date: 11/20/2015 7:49:00 PM
gosh the pics of this place are so beautiful just like the poem that accompanies it. Is Carolyn around? I have not seen hide nor hair from her in ages. Oh, I see this was written a full year ago. I shall have to visit her and see if she is around today. You guys were superb!
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Paul Callus
Date: 11/21/2015 3:04:00 AM
Thank you for your lovely comments, Andrea. It's been a while since she came on the site, but hope that she'll make a comeback once priorities are dealt with and she gets internet access. ~ Regards // paul
Date: 11/19/2015 10:52:00 AM
very cool collaboration.
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Paul Callus
Date: 11/19/2015 2:05:00 PM
Thank you, Nathan. Honored to have you stopping by. Regards // paul
Date: 11/18/2015 11:35:00 PM
G'day Paul... a fine testament by Carol and you on the futility of war and the provisions that need to remind us of those who died - thank you - Lindsay
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Paul Callus
Date: 11/19/2015 2:24:00 PM
You read it well, Lindsay! Thank you for visiting. Regards // paul
Date: 11/16/2015 11:12:00 AM
A thought to ponder on Paul," who dedicates these scarlet blooms,... tombs? " As any of your Poems,this is excellent and another Food for thoght; well done...hugs
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Paul Callus
Date: 11/16/2015 5:43:00 PM
Hi Kayode! Last year the Tower of London's moat was filled with thousands of red poppies, to commemorate those who died in battle. ~ All the best...paul
Date: 11/16/2015 6:58:00 AM
Paul, wonderful collaboration with Carolyn but theme sad and this one of the worst effects of war, I hope she is okei I haven't seen her awhile.. =`)
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Paul Callus
Date: 11/16/2015 5:39:00 PM
I am pleased that you enjoyed it, Olive_eloi:) Carolyn has been away from Soup for personal reasons. Looking forward to her return. Hugs // paul
Date: 11/12/2015 1:33:00 PM
WHAT IF THEY HELD A WAR BUT NO ONE CAME! Wonder if that shall ever happen or mean we FINALLY learned. Love how you told the story, pictured the paradox, questioned our motives, and left a message. You have a talent for writing in Free Verse in such away that both the Rhyme Poet & Free Poet it can appreciate your poem. They rhyme enough to make scheme poets THINK they are reading in rhyme & free verse poets THINK there is no rhym scheme. Clever! Love this one...a 7.
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Edlynn Nau
Date: 11/16/2015 4:49:00 PM
This is the first one I've read with the two of you together...unless I just didn't notice. That is your secret as a team...the poem is seamless!
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Paul Callus
Date: 11/16/2015 11:39:00 AM
I too doubt that wars will ever end. Politics, greed, hate and other egoistic reasons are the main culprits. So pleased that you liked this co-write, Edlynn. Carolyn and I have collaborated together several times in the past. ~ Regards // paul
Date: 11/12/2015 10:44:00 AM
There is no excuse for the insanity of war. Yet we would build flashy dedications. I have a real dislike of churches. Take devotion outdoors in the open air. daver
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Paul Callus
Date: 11/16/2015 10:53:00 AM
Thank you for stopping by, Daver. War is usually built on flimsy excuses, to please the few and devastate the majority. Take care! All the best. // paul
Date: 11/11/2015 2:57:00 PM
- Paul one great poem, a wonderful finish ...... highlighting the entire poem - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Paul Callus
Date: 11/16/2015 10:32:00 AM
Thank you, Anne Lise. Due merit goes to Carolyn who has been an excellent collaborator. Hugs // paul
Date: 11/11/2015 12:13:00 PM
A wonderful and a very touching piece you wrote Paul. I love the vivid imagery this depicts, it helps to bring your write to life in the sense of this readers. A well and lovely piece...........A.M.
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Paul Callus
Date: 11/16/2015 9:32:00 AM
Thank you for your nice comments, Afolabi. Carolyn and I wrote this last year, and now was the right time to post it. Glad you enjoyed. // paul
Date: 11/11/2015 8:50:00 AM
So powerful and deep .. Costly indeed is the price of any war..I love that line 'no one wins a war '..It is a great verse .If only the world could stop and listen,History would stop repeating itself. Excellent post.
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Paul Callus
Date: 11/16/2015 8:52:00 AM
Thank you for being the first one to comment, Charm:) War can never be something positive, and the recent massacres go to prove that. // I've had computer problems, but all is now solved. In the meantime my mail has accumulated to large proportions:) All the best. // paul
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