John Lawless Poet Haibun

The Stillness of Peace

the stillness of peace


Mossy vines served as camouflage for a decaying headstone.  She had gone to war at a time when women didn’t.  Took her skilled compassion and knowledge of emergency triage with her, seen the worst of what war could do to the human body and psyche.  She returned home quietly to resume her life, fall in love, marry, have a family.  She carried many secrets with her to the end.  Her family wept at her passing as did a small group of elderly women, strangers who shed tears for reasons of their own.  Fellow soldiers now entrusted with her secrets.

Time took her family away.  Vines crept over the hidden graves.  Soft teardrops of passing angels wore away the stone face.  History faded into the bindings of unread books.  


cold breath lingers
flags wave in the distance
the stillness of peace



8/4/2016

Submitted to – Camouflage Me A Poem – Poetry Contest
sponsor – Broken Wings

Theme 1

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Constance La France August 12, 2016 at 11:12 PM John, congratulations on your win in my contest with this wonderfully penned poem ~

Beautiful Scars August 10, 2016 at 9:48 PM John, congrats on your placement with this wonderful poem, very touching :)-luloo

Tom Arnone August 10, 2016 at 9:41 PM Interesting form this Haibun. Your poem is informative, introspective and haunting. Congrats! :-)

Sandra Haight August 5, 2016 at 9:25 PM Very profound and a well-written Haibun, John. Best wishes for the contest. Sandra John Lawless August 6, 2016 at 9:51 AM Thank you Sandra. It is an interesting opening line for the contest theme.

CayCay Godwin August 5, 2016 at 7:59 AM Well done, John - I enjoyed the read very much ... CayCay John Lawless August 6, 2016 at 9:49 AM Thanks CayCay, always nice to hear from you.

Tim Smith August 4, 2016 at 5:05 PM Very heartfelt write John. Many women went unrecognized during the first world war. Excellent haiku as well John Lawless August 6, 2016 at 9:49 AM Thanks Tim, my daughter was deployed to Iraq as an emergency room nurse. Much of it she still doesn't talk about. At least now the nurses are more recognized for their service.