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The Christmas Truce

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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

Date: 3/21/2022 9:49:00 PM

"may the sinful heart of man break free" - Best of prayers. Beautiful. Congratulations!

Gary Radice

Date: 4/26/2021 11:51:00 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

Date: 1/26/2021 7:41:00 PM

We need on eternal Christmas truce! Congratulations, Wendy!

Joyce Johnson

Date: 1/24/2021 12:46:00 PM

Congratulations Wendy. You got to the very core of Unity. Great job. Joyce

Mark Koplin

Date: 1/23/2021 8:27:00 PM

Congratulations on your win, Wendy!

Wendy Watson
Date: 1/31/2021 2:39:00 PM

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment,Mark.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 1/23/2021 11:54:00 AM

- Congratulations on your great win in the Carolyn Devonshire contest, Wendy :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Wendy Watson
Date: 1/31/2021 2:39:00 PM

Thanks so much, Anne-Lise.

Beata Agustin

Date: 1/23/2021 3:27:00 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
Date: 1/31/2021 2:38:00 PM

That's kind of you. Thank you for your continual encouragement, Beata.

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 1/22/2021 5:50:00 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
Date: 1/22/2021 5:55:00 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

Date: 1/22/2021 4:29:00 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
Date: 1/22/2021 5:23:00 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

Date: 1/21/2021 2:08:00 PM

Oh my goodness, I teared up reading this. This should be published. This seems so timely. And timeless.

Wendy Watson
Date: 1/22/2021 12:55:00 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.