He falls and hands clasped to his chest
recalls her slender, girlish breast,
that in the light of 'man's' disease,
will ne'er be his again, to please.
And as another flower dies,
beneath, these grey and leaden skies,
I reach to hold the petaled head,
still warm, though oh so clearly dead.
How many more buds, in their spring,
will 'Leaders' send, only to bring
back home in bunches, wrapped in flags
with medals pinned unto their rags.
Oh cruel Generals, do you sigh
and will you, as will sweethearts, cry.
Or would you mark expedience
upon graves of uncommon sense.
Do you not fear, when shallow breath,
shall signal your inglorious death,
that you shall meet, as your souls soar,
the souls of those, you sent to war?
By Chris Birrane © 2011
Comments
Silver Spun Sand | August 2, 2011 - 07:57
Wonderfully moving poem, Chris. Well done on the more than deserved cherry...I especially admire this stanza:-
"Oh cruel Generals, do you sigh
and will you, as will sweethearts, cry.
Or would you mark expedience
upon graves of uncommon sense."
Tina xx
maggyvaneijk | August 2, 2011 - 08:30
I agree wholeheartedly with Tina, extremely moving. You have crafted this piece so delicately and with such skill. Wow.
MistakenMagic | August 2, 2011 - 09:57
You're giving Wilfred Owen a run for his money, Chris. I'm sure he would've said the same had he been alive today. Well done on the cherry!
Magic xxx
threeleafshamrock | August 2, 2011 - 13:03
Thank you lovely Tina, glad you enjoyed..
Chris ;)
threeleafshamrock | August 2, 2011 - 13:04
Thank you Maggy, for the kind words
Chris ;)
threeleafshamrock | August 2, 2011 - 13:05
Thanks Magic; I had a feeling that you would enjoy this one :)
Chris ;) xxx
threeleafshamrock | August 2, 2011 - 13:06
Oh and thanks for the cherry folks; chuffed! :D
insertponceyfre... | August 2, 2011 - 21:07
wonderful Chris - please post more often!
threeleafshamrock | August 2, 2011 - 21:11
Thanks Insert...I'll try :)
Chris ;)
celticman | August 6, 2011 - 11:19
I especially liked the first stanza, but that is maybe that was just my certain boyish impulses. Great stuff Chris. It's not often I'm proud of 'Futility.'
threeleafshamrock | August 6, 2011 - 12:04
Hehe, thanks C man, boyish impulses are a blessing or a curse (I go for blessing) and can be painful either way...or even futile :D
Chris ;)
barryj1 | August 7, 2011 - 16:34
I liked this one from beginning to end, but the last line was the clincher!
threeleafshamrock | August 7, 2011 - 18:45
Thanks Barry, appreciate you taking the time...
Chris ;)