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
< :( >
Copyright © James Fraser | Year Posted 2014
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