Memories are stirred by the sound of a foreign prayer. It’s 4 a.m.
Listening to the harmony of the tenor voice, hands raise to his ears
Still hearing the rise and fall of the dawn chorus,
Not like the blue birds and swallows chirping
It’s still inky black, people are praying.
Can’t get away,
Duty
Honour
Valour
His eyes, arid like the desert refuse to shut as he focusses on a tatty photograph
Edges frayed from fumbling, colours fading from sun touch and time.
Reaching a hand to sense the comfort of a well worn corner,
There’s a woman, two children, a yappy dog.
Sand slips in wisps outside, sounds like silk moving,
A nightdress, a kiss on his weary head.
Wishes to get away,
Conduct,
Respect,
Duty.
The particles in the dry air exanguinate his spirit,
Every day, he sees the tremors of heat glinting with the arms of modern warfare
The sun shines on the brave exacerbating their lethal smiles
Where children play, and people lie.
Home and honour are two polar opposites.
Breathing and grabbing his metal protector, low false god
Will he be martyred toady?
The woman,
The two children,
The yappy dog,
Smile silently in the moment captured long ago.
For all out heroes out there. Come home safe.
Written for Jingle’s poet rally
May they be cherished and loved by the country they serve and never betrayed by a politician as it is the USA standard procedure.
As ex-forces, and with family in the forces, thank you for this.
Pingback: Thursday Poets Rally Week 15 (April 22-28, 2010) « Jingle·
very interesting perspective,
thank you for the empowering message.
cool post!
have fun!
Very touching and skillfully done…”like silk moving”…thank you…
This is really awesome.
how touching!!! it’s nice of you to write this for a modern warrior… 🙂
A wonderful tribute, Shan. Well done!
fantastic. i hate wars and unnecessary loss of human life.
that is so beautiful and so touching… my heart gooes out for them … so well expressed.
Great poem, Shan. Powerful statement through some very creative, well-crafted lines.
Omg Shân this is amazing. You get better every poem ❤ diolch am y penwyrhnis btw
Duw iawn gaetho ni laff do?
Dear friend,
Your friendship is truly a cherished gift to me. Just a little gift for you at my blog specially decked up for awards- accepting and sharing.
With warmest affections,
http://window2mysoul.wordpress.com/2010/04/22/friendship-cherished/
Thank you Trisha I’m very greatful
http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/well-here-comes-the-week-15-rally-awards-and-more/
three poetry awards,
hot blog award,
more…
A very moving image of someone looking into a photograph.
Thanks Amy for taking the time to visit
This is a beautiful tribute Shan. It was wonderful of you to turn your incredible talent to honor those who protect us daily.
Pingback: Tribute for armed forces day « Doubtfulpoet – A Poetry Blog·
Shan, a beautifully written tribute to the forces. Thank you for pulling it out of the archives and sharing!