Wendy Watson Poet Rhyme

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The Christmas Truce

In World War One a tiny ray of light
was kindled one bleak cold and wintry night.
On Christmas Eve amidst the throes of war
the blast of battle bruised the earth no more
and carols filled the air on either side
as harmony abridged the great divide.
A perfect peace pervaded no man’s land
whilst conflict ceased and men met hand to hand.
Such unity if only for one day
caused  bitterness and hate to melt away.
There in the fearful trenches hearts would smile
and be at peace if only for a while.
Oh may the sinful heart of man break free
from selfish gain and war's futility.

20.01.21

The Christmas truce was a series of widespread unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front of the First World War around Christmas 1914.

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Christuraj Alex March 21, 2022 at 9:49 PM "may the sinful heart of man break free" - Best of prayers. Beautiful. Congratulations!

Gary Radice April 26, 2021 at 11:51 PM Lovely poem Wendy and congratulations on your win in Brian's contest. I think that it was one of these ceasefires Paul McCartney was alluding to with his song "The Pipes Of Peace"

Kim Rodrigues January 26, 2021 at 7:41 PM We need on eternal Christmas truce! Congratulations, Wendy!

Joyce Johnson January 24, 2021 at 12:46 PM Congratulations Wendy. You got to the very core of Unity. Great job. Joyce

Mark Koplin January 23, 2021 at 8:27 PM Congratulations on your win, Wendy! Wendy Watson January 31, 2021 at 2:39 PM Thanks for taking the time to read and comment,Mark.

Anne-Lise Andresen January 23, 2021 at 11:54 AM - Congratulations on your great win in the Carolyn Devonshire contest, Wendy :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Wendy Watson January 31, 2021 at 2:39 PM Thanks so much, Anne-Lise.

Beata Agustin January 23, 2021 at 3:27 AM Wow! Congrats! Thanks for this, especially these lines: "Oh may the sinful heart of man break free from selfish gain and war's futility." God bless you. Wendy Watson January 31, 2021 at 2:38 PM That's kind of you. Thank you for your continual encouragement, Beata.

Krish Radhakrishna January 22, 2021 at 5:50 AM Congrats on a lovely poem and a well reserved win! I remember seeing the movie! how sad hatred was duty and being human brought unity!! The world needs more of this!! Wendy Watson January 22, 2021 at 5:55 AM Thank you for your encouraging comment,Krish. I much appreciate your comment and will now lool up the film which both you and Carolyn have alluded to.

Carolyn Devonshire January 22, 2021 at 4:29 AM Wendy, there is a movie sometimes shown around Christmas starring Linda Hamilton called "Silent Night." It shows how such a truce brought German and American soldiers together for one night without violence. I wish this could be done all the time so "bitterness and hate" would disappear. Congrats on a great second place win! Hugs, Carolyn Wendy Watson January 22, 2021 at 5:23 AM Oh how interesting, Carolyn, I shall be googling that shortly then. Thank you so much for placing my poem and the time you have taken to carefully read and assess each poem.

Eric Cohen January 21, 2021 at 2:08 PM Oh my goodness, I teared up reading this. This should be published. This seems so timely. And timeless. Wendy Watson January 22, 2021 at 12:55 AM Eric, I so appreciate your generous comments. Such poignancy that as Rico commented, it was back to the torment of having to answer the traumatic 'call of duty' thereafter.

Rico Leffanta January 20, 2021 at 10:40 AM And then mustard gas silently filled the air ! Aloha! Rico Wendy Watson January 20, 2021 at 11:41 AM Yes, it's sad that it was just a temporary unity. Thanks for reading,Rico.