The Digger's Children Premiere Contest Winner

I paced between the old and new
along the rows where gray stones grow,
so careful not to tread upon
the freshly filled and seeded few.
Soft shadows slid across the lawn
where long ago a scythe would mow;
its ringing echoed down the row
like angels voices singing now,
a prayer of faith, a sacred vow.
While young men die in foreign fields,
when once they played with cardboard shields -
now dig, like I, an endless trench,
a hole where mud and blood would drench;
the devil's own unholy stench.
Today my labors dig like they,
yet here, a grave where mourners pray
as chapel bells ring hymns of peace;
a futile wish for hate to cease.
The soil is scarred across the world,
with trench and grave, more holes to fill,
while there, on high, a tempest swirled.
It all will heal...it is his will.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020



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Date: 8/10/2025 9:04:00 PM
Dear Craig, your highly refined poetic skills and passionate artistry combine to create a potent poem of contrasts that stirs one soulfully, viscerally and intellectually. I took note of the interesting rhyme scheme adorning your impeccable iambic meter and I was especially struck by this imagery "While young men die in foreign fields,/when once they played with cardboard shields" - this made my heart ache... Congratulations for your success in Mark's contest. A fav! Exceptional! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
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Date: 8/9/2025 9:27:00 AM
Congratulations, Craig. You are doing great in the marathon. This is one with a great universal theme. I like that it's rhymed!
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Date: 8/8/2025 12:15:00 PM
Craig, congratulations on your second-place win on Mile 4 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Your poem displays a deep reverence for lives lost due to hate, with a hope for the future. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 5 has already started.
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Craig Cornish
Date: 8/8/2025 1:40:00 PM
Thanks so much Mark!
Date: 5/19/2020 7:20:00 PM
Hello Craig Cornish, a graveyard digger's job is hard and lonely in the grave yard. Have a nice day my friend.
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Date: 2/5/2020 9:25:00 PM
Wow! Great write, Craig, congratulations on your win very well deserved.
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Date: 1/31/2020 1:06:00 PM
A powerfully potent write Craig, full of deep meaning and truth, congrats on your win, very worthy!
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Date: 1/31/2020 5:44:00 AM
I instantly recognised harry's influence in this masterpiece Craig x
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Date: 1/30/2020 5:45:00 AM
I feel this way too " futile wish for hate to cease." - but then again I think, maybe we can help it one person at a time. Nicely done Craig.
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Date: 1/29/2020 3:42:00 PM
Wonderful write! Congrats!
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Craig Cornish
Date: 1/31/2020 2:01:00 PM
Thank you Cindi
Date: 1/28/2020 8:21:00 AM
Wow! Worthy of a top win dear Craig. You are amazing at IP and IT. . Congrats! X:-)
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Craig Cornish
Date: 1/28/2020 8:57:00 AM
Thank you Lu Loo!
Date: 1/27/2020 7:48:00 PM
This is excellent Craig. Congratulations on winning the Trophy! xxoo
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Craig Cornish
Date: 1/28/2020 8:58:00 AM
Thanks much Connie
Date: 1/27/2020 6:21:00 PM
see, i knew this one was an amazing write...it looks even better with that gold cup beside it... congratulations Craig! :)
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Craig Cornish
Date: 1/28/2020 8:59:00 AM
Thanks Dear Sandy
Date: 1/27/2020 5:52:00 PM
I equate the growing grey stones to the indelible imprint blooming into earthly eternity that these young peoples' legacy affords...this poetry is strong and wise Craig...J.A.B.
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Craig Cornish
Date: 1/28/2020 9:00:00 AM
Thank you Justin
Date: 1/27/2020 3:20:00 PM
Craig, I nominate you for Poet Laureate. An awesome piece, in every way - a fave. Best wishes ~ John
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Craig Cornish
Date: 1/28/2020 9:03:00 AM
Way too kind John, but we all share that honor, too many fine poets here
Date: 1/27/2020 1:35:00 PM
Exceptional poetry, Craig.
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Craig Cornish
Date: 1/28/2020 9:04:00 AM
Thanks Daniel and for Georgie as well
Date: 1/27/2020 1:33:00 PM
I am reading this on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and so an already powerful and thought-provoking poem has even greater poignancy and dimension. This is an exceptional contribution to the site and congratulations on your high placement,Craig.
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Craig Cornish
Date: 1/28/2020 8:56:00 AM
One of the saddest times in history Wendy and thank you
Date: 1/13/2020 11:49:00 PM
If this is for SOS contest, a wonderful entry, love the 'foreign fields' 'cardboard shields' In fact it is this kind of poetry, that drew me to the art, in the first place..You write it so well, to my fav...
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Craig Cornish
Date: 1/28/2020 8:55:00 AM
Thank you Harry and for your inspiration
Date: 1/10/2020 10:13:00 AM
A sad reality well expressed.
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Craig Cornish
Date: 1/28/2020 8:50:00 AM
Thanks Richard
Date: 1/7/2020 9:54:00 AM
wow... this is powerful, chilling, but so well penned ... you are so good at these meters, this just flows with such ease... Bravo Craig... excellent write! :) hugs
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Craig Cornish
Date: 1/7/2020 10:00:00 AM
Honored Sandy, thank you!
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