War Is Not For Lovers

As another 'Remembrance Sunday' fast approaches, I thought I would unearth this one in memory of and to honour, all those who made the ultimate sacrifice

WAR IS NOT FOR LOVERS

 

Over the top my beautiful boys

The sergeant major cried

Think of your mother your sweetheart

And remember them

When thunder cracks around your head

And fear burns your insides

 

And Tommy did

He remembered her hand

In desperation a talon

Crushing clinging to his wrist

Cold as the ever stabbing wind

 

He remembered her eyes

Once beautiful and full of life

Frightened now and tired

Like those of some caged wild animal

 

He remembered how

Twelve months ago

He had held her in his arms

And kissed away a single tear

As the engine whistle blew

Be brave he said

I love you

And think of me till I return

And lay down by your side

War is not for lovers

The station master cried

 

A moment later the front line

Fell in unison

As if precision timed

A piece of jagged metal sang

A private groaned

And blood and mud entwined

War is not for lovers

The sergeant major cried

 

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I'm late to respond for remembrance day, but then one day a year is so little for the sacrifice they made. We remember the carnage and the numbers, but your poem remembers the individual. That is so important. Every one of those who die in conflict has a personal story. They have family, they have lovers, they have friends. The conflict cut their lives short and in doing that it hurt the ones who loved them most. It left a tsunami of grief in its wake.

I can not even contemplate the terror in the minds of those brave soldiers as they faced the foe and likely death. If they could think of a lover or mother in their last moments, maybe they would have had a crumb of comfort.

A most moving read Neville.

Chris

[Neville]

thank you for visiting these words of mine Chris and for your very insightful and reasoned review .

Neville

[AJNJ]

A story to be read out loud to one and all sir! I can hear the station master's cry. The engine whistle and the groans of the fallen men. War is not for lovers ! This should a chant on the lips of every lover who lost or won in love. How passionately beautiful this read!

[Neville]

I am well & truly honoured my friend.. and I thank you no end ..

[AJNJ]

You're most welcome sir. One of the most moving pieces I read ever!

[Neville]

.............. you got this old fella buzzin my friend ..
:)

[AJNJ]

Rightly too sir! Your poetry is loved!

[emmajoy]

Tis said that every war that ever was - was a rehearsal for the final one. It's poetry like this -which equates with Sassoon and the like, truly does. Plus is what makes me even more of a pacifist. Generations of husbands, sons, brothers, sweethearts, left their other halves.. and many a sergeant major wept. And, yet more will do the same at the drop of an order. 'Where did all the young men go.. ?' Brilliant writing.. heart-breaking. Always will be.

[Neville]

That is precisely one of the main side effects of war/conflict... thank you for checking in.... N

[Einstein Noodle]

well done...i remember reading this one before Neville ... a wonderful remembrance of those fallen... the language you use makes me think of the WWs but it applies to all ... thank you for re-posting ... here in the USA we need to pay more attention to the sacrifices of the Brits ... and others who fight for freedoms and equality ... such an emotive read for me sir!
E.

[Neville]

Well I could not be more honoured, thank you my friend...N

[Coyote Poetry]

True logic in the poem my friend. In my lifetime. I had to gather gear of soldiers and people lost to war. Love letters and pictures. It make you understand. One life effect many. This is real story. Love and war cannot mix. War don't care. Thank you Neville for sharing the powerful and worthwhile poetry.
Coyote

[Neville]

Sincerely appreciated & of course, sentiments shared...Neville

[Coyote Poetry]

No-one win in war my friend. We keep fighting.

[jennit]

Absolutely beautiful and emotional. Also well constructed: the last verse is very strong. I love how you made the title "War is not for lovers" a seeming throwaway statement made by the station master and an almost derogatory statement by the sergeant major, but it of course has that underlying profound truth that you are striving to get across. Nicely done! Lines I love: "Crushing clinging to his wrist"; "As if precision timed", "And blood and mud entwined".

[Neville]

You are far too kind for words...........N

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

The pain of this bleeds on the page. Eloquent, evocative words and lethal imagery. Lovely form, flow and rhyme. Great repetition of the tolling line “War is not for lovers.”- harbinger of doom. Winless wars, lifeless warriors, devastated families. We cry for them. Excellent poem my friend.

[Neville]

You stopping to consider these words of mine & leaving such an encouraging review has just made my day. Many thank you's Annette

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You are so welcome Neville.:)

[Gee]

Loved this. A whole generation slaughtered for what ??? For it all to start again 21 years later.
Top writing Neville

[Neville]

Thank you Gee, so very much appreciated. All Good Things, Neville

[barleygirl]

This is a brilliant depiction of war from a humanistic point of view. Your observations are beautiful, even as sadness hangs in the air thru-out. The irony is strongly hinted, unmistakable, resonating thru the imagery from wars long ago, while also addressing our current seemingly war-mongering world. The title/refrain is memorable & perfectly chosen (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Neville]

Gobsmacked by your praise my fine literary friend & that is a compliment indeed x

[ROXANE DORSEY]

War never good. thanks for sharing

[Neville]

You are absolutely right, thank you for reading and or sharing my views on war...N