Terry Miller Poet Free verse

The Boy

The distant flash of guns, like fireworks
in Yorkshire Dales, a November, long past;
soon followed by deep rumbling, thunder
that usually precedes rain, but not today.
The boy, marching, singing with his pals
moving ever further from Tipperary.
Wherever that was.
Soon, ragged men start passing, 
arriving from where he's going.
The boy thinks he sees a friend
it's hard to tell;
there's just a gaping hole below the eyes
the man groping for a dangling mandible
trying to reassemble a face;
dying questioning eyes meet.
A growling sergeant moves them on,
"forward, boys."
The singing stops
eyes dart from side to side
the proud upright march 
becoming a bowed, furtive walk.
Tomorrow, the boy will take his gun
and march across
as un-yet fields of scarlet poppies
towards the enemy;
or so he's told.
He will never pull the trigger, 
he will not have time.


GUNS Poetry Contest: Placed 1st.
Sponsored by: Anthony Biaanco
Date wrote: 25-04-2021

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Joseph Spence Sr July 11, 2021 at 3:29 AM Congratulations, and excellent post, Terry. I love the flow of the words and the impact of the message. I am very proud of you. The descriptive excellence is lovely and sends terrific images. The theme of stands out, and the tone moves the piece down the page with much grace. Great job! Have a fantastic day, and God's richest grace and blessings to you always. –Professor, Ambassador, Dr. Joseph S. Spence Sr. (Epulaeryu Master)! Terry Miller July 12, 2021 at 1:04 AM Thank you, sir, for your very valued comments.

James Inman July 9, 2021 at 1:13 PM Poignant write. Terry Miller July 10, 2021 at 1:21 AM Thank you, James, for the visit and kind comment.

Kirkland Fisher July 8, 2021 at 9:19 AM The poem The boys, I like that one. In my imagination I placed myself at the very scene. It was quite sobering. Terry Miller July 9, 2021 at 12:55 AM Thank you, Kirkland, for your kind comments; all wars are terrible; I tried to convey the horror and futility.

George Yiorgos Stathakis May 18, 2021 at 10:48 AM I love your very moving poem, Terry. Congratulations! Terry Miller May 21, 2021 at 1:15 AM Thank you so much for your visit and kind comments

Jennifer Fenn May 11, 2021 at 6:02 PM Congrats on your win! Great poem about the horrors of war. Terry Miller May 12, 2021 at 12:34 AM Thank you Jennifer, I appreciate your warm comment.

Paula Goldsmith May 11, 2021 at 3:15 PM Congratulations on your win. What a story/write. Have a blessed day with your win............... Terry Miller May 12, 2021 at 12:36 AM Thank you, Paula, I am so glad you enjoyed my poem if you can truly say enjoy given the subject matter. I appreciate your comments very much, have a blessed day yourself.

Anthony Bianco May 11, 2021 at 5:50 AM Hi Terry, congrats and very nicely done. Hits you straight in the gut(and the jaw). I very much liked the underlying intensity throughout the poem. Best Wishes Anthony. Terry Miller May 11, 2021 at 6:56 AM Hi Anthony, I am truly honored with the win, thank you so much!

Regina Mcintosh May 11, 2021 at 5:44 AM So sad... God bless you and congrats. Love and prayers, Gina Terry Miller May 11, 2021 at 6:57 AM Thank you Gina, God bless you too.

Christuraj Alex May 10, 2021 at 8:37 PM Heart-rending! Congratulations! Terry Miller May 11, 2021 at 12:40 AM Thank you.

L Milton Hankins April 25, 2021 at 8:43 AM Terry, this is a poignant, heart-rending piece of work, but so beautiful in its own way. I enjoyed it. Good writing, my friend, and thanks for sharing it. GL in the contest. Terry Miller April 25, 2021 at 11:59 PM Thank you for your comments and encouragement, I am still learning.