We Came Upon a Clearing

We came upon a clearing as we all started to choke
Our eyes hurting, painful, us soldier serving blokes

Pieces of black floated, sporadic burning embers passed
Hazed buildings we could see through the trees, chimneys a fast

A stench captured our senses, nothing like this war has before
As we progressed through this something, my heart skips to sore

Beyond the barbed wire fences, deadening cries filter all around
And then I see skeletal beings, it's they who make those sounds

Emaciated to thin, I've killed men before my eyes
Women, men, and children so young, it's like watching the walking die

Through the gates we go, human carcasses piled so high
The hardened in us tremble, and many of us start to cry

The strong that we meet, hold our hands and welcome us so
Leading us into some buildings, we entered, they wouldn't go

On entering we now understand, their unwillingness to follow we
It beggars belief, mans inhumanity to man, that allows this kin to grieve

Furnaces still roaring, burning bodies consumed by their heat
Do I image they were alive or dead to meet this ghastly greet

We enter another building, witnessing piles of shoes and suitcases
I've seen many a sight in this war, but never a sight such as this

The strength of me now exhausted, in wretch I'm sickened to disgust
It's plain and clear, so evident that I've witnessed murdering lust

To the air I wanting go, for their memory I'll never forget
And for the rumours that these places existed, for some will they regret








http://www.thehighlanderspoems.com/war-8.php
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

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Rider Avatar
November 18, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Very moving, wonderfully written, another voice heard, love your work my friend! ~Trudy~
Guzzi Avatar
November 15, 2011 at 6:34 PM
horrid aye and to have family with numers on their wrists I know..horrid! thanks so much for being my white knight in my blog BIG hugs! Light & Love
Onclaud Avatar
November 15, 2011 at 8:44 AM
hi king, beeen a while..a gripping write that sends me reeling... spiked imagery alll throughout!... :) huggs!
Dietrich Avatar
November 14, 2011 at 11:38 PM
Yes, it all happened and can you believe today that some people are trying to deny it still,saying it was all made up?? A powerful write, James.
Wilson Avatar
November 14, 2011 at 3:24 PM
Haunting, it's like you were there
A   Avatar
November 13, 2011 at 10:14 PM
wow... out of cleaning James.. deep lines..p.d.
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