Places gain value when you are surrounded by war. The World War one and the World War two soldiers dreams of coming home. The white cliffs of Dover, when they saw them. They knew home was near. Home, sweet home. I saw the white cliffs of Dover in 1977. I could feel the joy of men here and gone. So many wonderful poems for the white cliffs of Dover. Words, written to honor her and England.
The white cliffs of Dover, the first marker of home, sweet home was near. A thousand soldiers cheered when they saw the white cliffs. They had fought in land drowning in blood and they left many brothers on foreign soil. War left no sweetness for them.
They needed to touch the England shores, kiss the soil and praise the land. The white cliffs of Dover welcomed them home with open arms and in a quiet whisper. Broken or not. She embraced them and she thanks them for serving and protecting freedom.
We spend one year in the Iraq heat and dust. Damn desert, no trees, no water and hot as hell. We are surrounded by sand and garbage.
My friend Bill told me often. Soon I will leave this place and I will return to Tennessee. I will be home in late Spring. I will take a 30 day leave and all I will do is fish in the Tennessee river. Drink some cold beer and I won’t never complain
about the Tennessee weather. Rain or shine. I will be thankful to be home.
The White Cliffs did and do mean, 'we're home again - at last.' Perhaps those who don't know the lyrics of their special song, could spare a few minutes to hear them - then, understand what those cliffs certainly represented during in our past history. Even today with cynicism, foreign holidays and split loyalties.. there's still a love for them. The song.. https://youtu.be/Hqtaoz4QFX8
As to your Tennessee river...I'll read more about them and understand what it meant to a serving man.
Thank you for sharing a very touching piece of writing, John.
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Thank you dear Emma. Home. A special place, when she is so far away. The White Cliffs of Dover. Magi.. read moreThank you dear Emma. Home. A special place, when she is so far away. The White Cliffs of Dover. Magic.
WOW! WOW! And WOW! I love how you connect these two anecdotes. Your fierce opposition to war is legendary (admired by me) & I love how you find fresh new ways to keep putting this in front of people's attention, to make your deep convictions about war heard. I love the Tennessee River anecdote becuz I had a similar transformation after my neck injury & not being able to walk for an extended period. Once I was able to walk again, albeit wobbly & painful, I swore to never complain about feeling crummy again! I love everything you're saying here! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Thank you dear Margie. Home, health and the old places. We appreciate in old age.
Coyote, I know the Tennessee River, and it’s certainly a place many love to call home. Like the white cliffs of Dover, when separated from home, it’s a place missed and later warmly welcomed. You’ve captured well that sense of longing and delayed joy in this poem. Wonderful words and images in this piece.
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Thank you my friend for reading and the comment. Home become sweeter, when she is far away.
Probably only those who have served and seen the reality of war can truly understand the appeal of home and the comfort and safety it provides. We tend to take it for granted like many things in life and it's only when it's absent that we long for it again. Those white cliffs are a wonderful sight and something i would love to see myself someday.
Another fine write, my friend. Well titled and well written.
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Thank you Doodley. The White Cliffs of Dover. A place, you would love. I loved England. Kind people .. read moreThank you Doodley. The White Cliffs of Dover. A place, you would love. I loved England. Kind people who loved to drink and enjoy life.
Getting home, that is the real war to everyone in the armed forces, dead, hopefully, alive to touch freedom again. 21st century and not a lot has changed. Coffins draped with flags fighting in basketcase countries that really should be left to fester.
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
I agree my friend. Old world and new world. The wars seen never to end. Thank you Paul for reading a.. read moreI agree my friend. Old world and new world. The wars seen never to end. Thank you Paul for reading and the comment.
Beautiful and tender words. There is the painful places the soul has journeyed... places others we know still wander... and there are those who come home and find peace again. Be it in England... or Tennessee... May peace fill the hearts of you and your dear ones during this Thanksgiving week, my friend.
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Happy Thanksgiving my friend and thank you for reading and the comment.
The White Cliffs did and do mean, 'we're home again - at last.' Perhaps those who don't know the lyrics of their special song, could spare a few minutes to hear them - then, understand what those cliffs certainly represented during in our past history. Even today with cynicism, foreign holidays and split loyalties.. there's still a love for them. The song.. https://youtu.be/Hqtaoz4QFX8
As to your Tennessee river...I'll read more about them and understand what it meant to a serving man.
Thank you for sharing a very touching piece of writing, John.
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Thank you dear Emma. Home. A special place, when she is so far away. The White Cliffs of Dover. Magi.. read moreThank you dear Emma. Home. A special place, when she is so far away. The White Cliffs of Dover. Magic.
Those white cliffs of Dover were everything. When all you love is in that land and you are far away wondering whether you will ever get back. Very poignant. Both pieces are very special, but the one about England brings tears to my eyes.
Chris
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
I crossed the English Channel four times and each time. Those white cliffs were so beautiful to see... read moreI crossed the English Channel four times and each time. Those white cliffs were so beautiful to see. Thank you Chris for reading and the comment.
How sad to know that so many of our brave and fearless youngsters died in a foreign field, never to see those white cliffs again. Thank you Coyote for the timely reminder!
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Thank you for reading my friend and I agree. War steal the best from us.
we never know how good we have it until we get to a place or situation that is so much worse...
and then we want what we had before....don't know what you've got till it's gone.
j.
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Yes, you are right Jacob and thank you for reading and the comment.
A Poet and writer who love to read and write.
My pleasure is reading about the bad and good in a life.
Also to honor the Poets/Writers of the past by reading their words.
Remember .. more..