Somme Say

Approaching the eleventh hour on 11.11.2013 I think we need to remember all those who made the greatest sacrifice of all - Here's to all those who did just that between 1914 and 1918

Somme Say

 

At precisely 07.28 a.m on July 1^st 1916

A piece of earth the size of a football pitch

And half as deep again

Was lifted into the air they said at least 4,000 feet

For a moment a portion of France was liberated

At a total cost of only 15,000 souls Somme say

 

Let us Never Forget 

 

 

Reviews

[Anastasia]

The pain is what can be felt in your words foremost. The catastrophic memories imprinted on this page forever as I take in the time, the event and its killing implications. Freedom? At what cost? Each life is priceless and we're talking 15,000 here. Takes some time for it to sink in but settle it will not and must not. It must keep disturbing us always....

[Neville]

thank you so much Sabrina for your kind and encouraging comment ..and of course for your concluding statement too, if not even more so .. It must keep disturbing us always....

Go safe and well my friend ..

Neville

[alanwgraham]

Fantastic Neville, a word less or a word more would spoil it. The sad thing is that fewer and fewer these days know the reality of total war. I've seen the clip of that explosion many times.
Hope you are well
Alan

[Neville]

Not too bad here my friend, thanks .. I hope the same applies your end .. and thank you for agreeing with the sentiment underpinning this here little factual rant ...... ++++ +++
+++++++++++++

[Fay Slimm]

A unique and moving tribute Nev. - lest we forget those thousands from Britain who in that first day of the Somme (in what was named Albert's Battle) made the ultimate sacrifice for just a moment of liberation --- we need ever to pay thoughtful respects.

[Neville]

You are absolutely spot on Fay.. the first two weeks of the Battle of the Somme are still occasionally referred to as 'the Battle of Albert or Alberts Battle .. thank you my friend for helping to keep the memory alive ..

Neville

[Wild Rose]

My Granddad was wound on the Somme
he came home
With a back full of shrapnel > it came out in small pieces for the rest of his life

My wife uncle was buried in Siracuse

[Neville]

Thank you for stopping by & considering these words Wild Rose and for the share ...

I imagine there is hardly a family who did not lose at least one family member during WW1 ..... stay safe now wont'cha

Neville

[Wild Rose]

We do our best to keep safe > Go to the supermarket just after opening time
We are retired and don't really have to go out except for walks & doctors > hair dresser comes to us #Now buying stuff on line

Spent this morning on the side of Derwent Water > 1 hours drive from home _ we left as people began to flood in

Keep safe yourself > Not always easy to do

[Robert Trakofler]

and please dear god let those blasts echo for eternity Nev! So quickly we are to forget the sacrifices that put us here:(

[Neville]

thank you for visiting & paying your respects to those fallen Robert .. seriously appreciated by me and I am sure the families of those whose loved one's sacrificed everything for peace, freedom and justice ..

[AJNJ]

A momentous and solemn day...Yes, let us never forget those 15,000 who were just like us...

[Neville]

absolutely my friend .. let us never forget .. and do our damndest to make sure others do not either ...

[AJNJ]

As long as they're written about, as you did here, they'll be remembered.
You're most welcome dear sir.

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

I know this is not a poem but it stands for most of what poetry is all about. It makes one think, feel and imagine. Well written.

[Neville]

How bloomin kind you are ... thank you CVD ..

[Chris Shaw]

Another visit to this sombre and sobering tribute to the many who sacrificed their lives in order that we remain a free nation. Too many only pay lip service and do not fully comprehend that those who died gave EVERYTHING and their relatives and friends were left to count the cost. Our generation understands that. Right, that we should remember each and every year.

Chris

[emmajoy]

That war could be called the darkest ever: innocents taken, heroes made, wherever the fall out hit. Even to this day, seems it's still the one that floods our minds. You write so sincerely and movingly.

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

That kind of violation of earth, with such brazenness is the foolish gumption of man, so to speak. Your words hit my gut and take me right there to that mud and blood spattered spot. The gains, I read, from this calumny, were indeed meagre. The lessons learnt, I think, were even more so. Enough said by me. Kudos to you Neville!

[Neville]

Thank you Dhara_Ditzy Kat.... makes one think dunnit just.... Neville

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

You are welcome Neville! :)

[Neville]

................ cheers

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

:)))))))))))>>>>>>>Cheers!