A Place

A poem I created after reading a poem called, Black Crosses

 

I’ve seen a place where the sand is stained red.

Where the crows feast upon the lifeless,

And the tide washes up their bones into small piles along the shoreline.

Families from all around gather there… to stake wooden crosses into the sand,

To proclaim the dead not forgotten.

Oh yes, I’ve seen a place.

 

I’ve seen a place where men with swords and an iron will at that,

Stand firm in the sand on the edge of the beach,

The waves rush and crash into their feet,

But, unmoved they remain.

One force against another,

One man against another,

All battling against each other

Like a high stakes war game,

Or a grandiose chess match.

Oh yes, I’ve seen a place.

           

I’ve seen a place where the proud pretend to defend,

And for no good reason they send lowly men,

Farmers and ranch hands do their bidding;

A beach where the dead intended on dying,

After the wives and the mothers do their crying,

Over a body that does it’s lying on a white sandy beach.

Their death wasn’t for lack of trying,

For every second the others were multiplying,

And now there was no denying.

Oh yes, I’ve seen a place.

 

I’ve seen a place where because of one man’s decision,

A collision of two forces that battle for position;

The man, he asks none for their permission,

He proclaims to own all that he can see,

And that God stands beside him as a ruler for the free,

So he uses this reason and it becomes a royal decree.

These simple men can’t see how a proclamation can exist,

In a world where all men stand tall and have two fists,

And will fight even after shackles bar their wrists.

Oh yes, I’ve seen a place.

 

I’ve seen a place where a man wakes up,

And sits at his table, and eats at his table

Because it is his.

He will work in his fields to yield food for his family,

His labor for his family shows his love for his kids,

When he comes in late at night,

He looks into the eye’s of his wife,

And reminds her that he loves her,

His true love till the end.

Oh yes, I’ve seen a place.

 

One day he will be called upon to prevent an invasion,

And he will stand up with courageous intention,

Concluding that the only action is to wield sword in one hand,

And shield in the other, so he can protect their land.

His family, his ancestors, also for King and country,

He will be proud to die for the same as he defends,

Just as he has taught his sons;

They’ll turn out to be great men in the end,

But their father may not be there, a tragedy to transcend.

All because of one mans decision; a proclamation.

Oh yes, I’ve seen a place…

 

Author's Note

A poem I created after reading a poem called, Black Crosses, by Hailey Juliet James. Hailey also gave me her insight on this project.

Thank you for taking the time to read it. Reviews would be appreciated.

Reviews

[Matching Socks]

I liked it. I've not seen these places first hand but I feel it in your poem. I have no critique. Good poem.

[James Whitefall]

Thank you for taking the time to read it. I appreciate the review.