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The Wounds of War

Dear Mother, should my footsteps never tread The pathway which would lead to your embrace, Know this, though many words were left unsaid, Your love has pierced the darkness of this place. I cannot lie and least of all to you, My mind is frail, and body's wracked with pain. I tremble as destruction sounds anew And blinding terror strikes this bleak terrain. Incessant haunting screams assault the mind, And sights I've witnessed which I'll ne'er forget. Scarred men lie bleeding, rendered lame and blind Their troubled souls with thoughts of death beset. And how my weary spirit yearns to roam Through country meadows leading me back home. 07/01/19 'War sonnet poetry contest' : Sponsored by: Mark Massey

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Brenda Chiri

Date: 2/6/2022 1:34:00 AM

Wendy congrats on your win!;)

Line Gauthier

Date: 1/17/2021 5:54:00 PM

Wow, what a powerful poem. Very poignant ~ so glad to see it here in the pages of the 2020 PS Anthology ~ Congrats, Wendy.

Sam Kauffman

Date: 4/26/2020 10:28:00 PM

What vivid, sad, but important pictures your words paint - "haunting screams assault the mind." Not only do you show the horrors of war but the effects of PTSD. Congratulations on your first place win!

Lonna Blodgett

Date: 4/25/2020 10:29:00 PM

What a wonderful, rich tapestry of weary spirits. Love it.

Edward Ibeh

Date: 1/24/2020 1:03:00 PM

No wonder this poem earned you a trophy, it's a beauty! Heartiest congratulations on your win, Wendy:-)

John Watt

Date: 1/24/2020 1:02:00 PM

Wendy, So many powerful lines. My favorite: "And blinding terror strikes this bleak terrain." We poets are sometimes called upon to expose the travesty of war, and you have accomplished this in a very personal and intimate way - a soldier's wistful letter to mother. Love the ending couplet. A beautifully rendered sonnet, my friend. Congrats on your high placement in Brian's contest. It's a fav for me ~ John

John Hamilton

Date: 7/10/2019 5:09:00 PM

Thanks Wendy for your entry, congrats on a fine placement!

Brenda Chiri

Date: 6/16/2019 7:51:00 PM

Wonderful sonnet! Congrats on your win!

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 6/15/2019 8:03:00 PM

This is so marvelous Wendy. Congratulations on your deserving Trophy and First Placement! ; ) xxoo

Line Gauthier

Date: 6/15/2019 6:46:00 PM

Back with more congrats, Wendy.

John Gondolf

Date: 6/14/2019 11:20:00 AM

Wendy, I had not seen this wonderful sonnet the first time around, I'm glad you placed it in this contest to give us a second chance. Congrats on your wins. John

Line Gauthier

Date: 2/11/2019 9:39:00 PM

A beautiful poignant sonnet, Wendy. Congrats on your well deserved win.

Okonkwo Ifeanyichukwu

Date: 2/9/2019 7:12:00 PM

Good tone and diction for war, the imagery Is beautiful Wendy.

Oliver Mckeithan

Date: 2/8/2019 3:28:00 PM

Hello Wendy, Excellent poem. Wars affect us all. Even those who were not actually there. I am a veteran but never saw combat. I served at the tail end of Vietnam. As in all wars families are left torn and bleeding along with the vet. Thanks for sharing. Oliver

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 2/5/2019 1:17:00 AM

This poem should be in our history books Wendy. It poignantly portrays the pain of not only the soldier but of his worried mother. This is deserving of your win and of your top place on the Best New Poems list! Congratulations for both. Outstanding! : ) xxoo

William Guile

Date: 2/2/2019 4:49:00 PM

Hi Wendy. I have written a poem entitled, " You weren't even there " . Rupert Brooke was there, Wilfred Owen was there. Their mothers, likely, read the dread telegram. I wasn't there. Nor were you. " If I should die, think only this of me : ".

Wendy Watson
Date: 2/3/2019 3:54:00 AM

Hello William I totally agree that the poetry on this theme by poets mentioned above and others such as Siegfred Sassoon is far more powerful and worthy of contemplation than any written by those far removed from the dreadful warfare. The contest title did however provide the opportunity for us to dwell on their sacrifice and try to imagine what any human being in those circumstances might be feeling. Thank you for your comment. Best wishes Wendy

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 1/31/2019 5:54:00 PM

Hello Wendy, war is sad. a lot of people suffer and children to. It is just not fair. I hope this soldier makes it home safely. Have a nice evening my friend.

Wendy Watson
Date: 2/3/2019 3:56:00 AM

Thank you for reading and commenting in this way,Darlene. It is indeed a sorry state for humankind.

Sandra Haight

Date: 1/31/2019 4:17:00 PM

Wendy, I am so pleased to be able to congratulate you again for another win for your amazing, heartfelt Sonnet entered into Mark's marathon contest! Wish you all the best as you continue on! Hugs, Sandra

Wendy Watson
Date: 2/3/2019 3:58:00 AM

Thank you Sandra. As William pointed out above, we can never truly understand the tauma which men and families went through though our emotions can be deeply stirred by the thought of such circumstances.

Bartholomew Williams

Date: 1/31/2019 9:30:00 AM

Wendy, congratulations on your win at this mile of the marathon contest and your TROPHY WIN earlier this year!! All my very best to you! :) Bartholomew

Wendy Watson
Date: 2/3/2019 4:01:00 AM

That's very kind of you Bartholomew. Some contest titles lead to deep contemplation of the theme.

Alexis Y.

Date: 1/31/2019 6:48:00 AM

Hi Wendy, What a well written and poignant sonnet. You deserve all accolades you are getting. Congratulations on your double win and spot on the best new poem list:-) Alexis

Wendy Watson
Date: 2/3/2019 3:59:00 AM

Thank you for your kind comment,Alexis.

Aniruddha Pathak

Date: 1/31/2019 1:11:00 AM

Wounds of War, a beautiful sonnet soaked with feelings

Wendy Watson
Date: 1/31/2019 1:16:00 AM

What a lovely comment Aniruddha. My father was only involved in communications and de-coding during the second world war but as a Mother I can begin to imagine how awful it would be for both sides.

Mark Toney

Date: 1/30/2019 10:25:00 PM

Wendy, a young man in the throes of war writing to his mother, for what could be the last time. And think of the mother receiving such. Very poignant indeed! Congratulations on your win on mile 13 of my 2019 Poetry Marathon contest! Thank you so much for supporting my contests. By continuing to place in the contests you are accumulating points toward the final. ~Mark

Wendy Watson
Date: 1/31/2019 12:57:00 AM

Thank you so much for the time you are investing in this poetic challenge, Mark and for the honour of getting 'placed' in what must be a very tough decision process!

Sarah Kettle

Date: 1/30/2019 7:57:00 PM

Tyfs

Wendy Watson
Date: 1/31/2019 12:56:00 AM

Ah- just looked up the acronym! Thank you too for commenting,Sarah!

Tom Wright

Date: 1/30/2019 6:07:00 PM

Wendy, This brought a tear to my eyes. My younger brother spent 4 tours in Vietnam, God bringing him home each time. after he got out he drove away one day and we never heard from him for 30 years until doing another search found his Obit where he had died the day before. He was highly decorated and all I have of his life is a shadowbox. Great poem God bless Tom

Wendy Watson
Date: 1/31/2019 12:53:00 AM

Oh Tom. Your life's experience created a mutual emotional response. Thank you so much for sharing such a personal and painful part of your life and for the encouraging comment.

Sunlite Wanter

Date: 1/29/2019 10:38:00 AM

And it's still going on! Congratulations on your compassionate sonnet!

Wendy Watson
Date: 1/31/2019 12:48:00 AM

Thank you for reading and commenting,Sunlite.