Get Your Premium Membership

The Urban Battlefield

(The final utterance and testament of a fallen comrade. Belfast 1979) He never knew till he laid there naked. (A withering heap of travesty.) How blue the sky how green the grass, each tiny blade reminiscent of a gentle touch from a bygone age. Each wound on fire, yet a confound complement to a burning passion of a love he was about to leave behind. He saw formidable clouds begin to threaten the moment, yet gently refreshing droplets tantalize the mood, blend with a body and it’s blood, before washing a mind free of it’s pain forever! © Harry J Horsman 1994

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 9/27/2020 2:47:00 PM
Intense and sad. Well written and a fine tribute to those who pay the ultimate price in battle. Congrats on your win ~ John
Login to Reply
Date: 9/26/2020 7:11:00 PM
This touched me deeply, Harry. What a powerful, impactful piece of writing. Many congrats on your top-notch win. ~Elaine
Login to Reply
Date: 9/26/2020 5:04:00 PM
such a moving piece harry many congrats:-) hugs Jan xx
Login to Reply
Date: 9/26/2020 8:05:00 AM
Harry, this is so descriptive and moving. CONGRATS on your win. Janice
Login to Reply
Date: 7/14/2015 1:26:00 AM
Hi Harry, I just stopped by to say congratulations on your amazing win! :)Alexis
Login to Reply
Date: 7/13/2015 6:04:00 PM
An incredible write, Harry! Powerful imagery that places the reader in the middle of the moment. Congrats on your 2nd place win! Love, Kim
Login to Reply
Date: 7/13/2015 4:08:00 PM
oh my, I cannot believe I NEVER saw this one before?? I thought I had combed the back pages for every single one of your poems! Yet I do not see my name among the commenters going back to 2010. this is GOOD stuff, Harry. YAY for your amazing win.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/13/2015 3:24:00 PM
Beautiful. Such gritty imagery. Congrats on your win, Harry! xoxo
Login to Reply
Date: 7/13/2015 12:15:00 AM
Harry, thank you for the support... SKAT
Login to Reply
Date: 9/21/2010 10:41:00 PM
Harry, I would imagine when one feels life slipping away is when they appreciate it most as when you convey "How blue the sky, how green the grass". A truly brilliant understanding of human emotions in regard to separation of soul from body. I was very moved by this poem and feel it is one of your best.
Login to Reply
Date: 9/21/2010 4:55:00 PM
Oh harry so emotional and heart wrenching.. deeply touching write and special piece of poetry my friend.. appreciate all your warm and welcome comments always my friend..with luv...
Login to Reply
Date: 9/21/2010 9:17:00 AM
sad write...I am wiping tears in GA. Dying with dignity is an ironic statement/oxymoron or something like that. usually we don't choose how we die...maybe how we are buried.
Login to Reply
Date: 9/19/2010 11:43:00 AM
hELLO, HARRY! ENJOYED*LUV~SKAT
Login to Reply
Date: 9/19/2010 7:07:00 AM
Interesting Bio...Glad that you found lines five through eight so that your penned words can delight us..Sara
Login to Reply
Date: 9/16/2010 7:02:00 PM
I am deeply moved by this poem. The images, the evocation of mood and place, the reflection on sacrifice and violence, all are very powerful. And it remains somber, never becoming sentimental. - Bill Cook
Login to Reply
Date: 9/16/2010 11:35:00 AM
one can picture themselves there were that soldier..very well written Take care~Deb
Login to Reply
Date: 9/16/2010 11:10:00 AM
Enjoyed reading your poetry today Haeey. Hope you have a wonderful day. Love, Carol
Login to Reply
Date: 9/16/2010 9:46:00 AM
Very moving and touchy poem. enjoyed it, harry.
Login to Reply
Date: 9/16/2010 5:40:00 AM
The reader can feel the pain of this man dying on the urban battlefield, Harry. We get a clear picture of what he was seeing and the way he felt when the raindrops came and his mind was washed of its pain. Very moving poem, my friend. Love, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Date: 9/16/2010 5:22:00 AM
Excellent account of a dying soldier's last visions and thoughts, Harry. Very well composed.
Login to Reply
Date: 9/16/2010 3:08:00 AM
Harry really enjoyed your piece this morning.. Hope your day has been going great.. :) Wilma
Login to Reply
Date: 9/16/2010 2:52:00 AM
You have penned an excellent piece my friend. Well done. A. W. Nutter www.freewebs.com/abcedit
Login to Reply

Book: Reflection on the Important Things