I stand on reddened soil, battle
complete, the smell of death
fills the air, I
care not for your meagre offering
of white cloth held in muddied hand
tainted by another’s blood
compensation for my loss on this
hallowed soil, a surrender given
to late to save the ones I loved
who rode into your storm
of pistols and catapults that cast
the stones of fire
with hearts racing, valiantly we
forged, my brother along side I
and in my fogginess of contest; the
sky drew dark through shadowed eyes
as brown soil mixed with blood
of those that will not see
another day
I step between the dead who lie
with mounts beneath them
men whose hearts will beat
no more, innocent, courageous
fighting for home they fell
with one last breath upon the ground
bring daylight through my tears
so I may see what we fought for
here, amongst the trees
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For Alastair’s Photo Challenge 150 words or less – Sorry I am 2 words over at 152. Please join us.
Wow! That was truly magnificent and moving.
Thank you Alastair – your comment went into Spam. I saw your photo, then left it for while. Monday night I crawled into bed and the first stanza sprung into my head. Last night whilst putting myself ‘there’, I was able to finish it. Thank you so much.
You’re welcome. Thank YOU for giving us this to read
Beautiful and poignant poem!
I thank you reading Gabriella and your kind words.
It was very well written
Thank you so very much NL.
Again your poetry is compelling and so well constructed.
Thank you – I am actually quite fond of this myself, some that I write, I pass off with a shrug – others take hold as this one did. Appreciate you reading ‘O’ as always.
So epic and powerful! What vivid pictures, painted in words!
Thank you so much Owl, for reading and your kindness. I imagined standing on that ground, between the dead. Sitting listening to music, eyes closed and drawing on my imagination, for it to come out in words that readers can feel, is so rewarding. Appreciate your comments.
Wonderful, Jen! 😀
Thank you lovely lady xx
This is awesome! Certainly well matched to the stately castle of the photo.
Thank you so very much 🙂
Great voice and use of language in this which gives a sense of the historical.
so appreciate your lovely comments Sarah – thank you!