Infinity

Infinity

 

As far as these

Damned eyes

Of mine can see

 

White crosses

Everywhere and

To attention stand

 

Row upon even row

Condensed in fields

And in meadows deep

 

From here

To no mans land

Hero’s numbered

 

Each and every one

Remembered

Soil tho scarleted and still

 

Where ghosts of those

Who fell still tread

A bugle calls them

 

And they are led

Red upon red upon red

Tho silent now they lay

 

Where silhouettes of widows

Weep and where poppies peek

As shy as your first lover

 

Here where

There once were hedgerows

Infinity stands still

 

 

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

You create a really solemn image here Neville. I find those war cemeteries completely overwhelming places to contemplate. They leave me both speechless and breathless, gutted and weak at the knees for the loss. I find no comfort there only oppression. The ghosts are ever present as is the reminder of the crass stupidity of our leaders who will lead us like lambs to the slaughter. Your penultimate stanza is divine. Your imagery sharp and painful. A stain on humanity, and yet the poppy a wonderful reminder of the sacrifice made for love of country. A most thought provoking write.

Chris

[Neville]

Thank you our Chris.. there is of course a bit o poetic license here, since our own graves are marked with traditional white headstones and not crosses.. in other respects, I agree with you regarding the waste and futility of war.... N

[Chris Shaw]

I have seen white crosses too Neville. I am sure of it. Would they be for the losses of our allies?

[Neville]

Mainly US and Canadian Chris..

[Chris Shaw]

Then that is what I have seen. Coming from a Christian background the crosses have more of an impact on me visually I guess on first sight.

[Robert Trakofler]

This is very reminiscent of one of my favorite Pink Floyd songs... Southampton Dock!
Nev, This is so eloquent an expression of a traipse thru A war memorial cemetery & the echoes of tears and loss with the cross exclamation points dotting the landscapes. I feel a sigh of reverence each time i stand at these memorials and a wave of sorrow to all those souls so affected. I chose the job of med-evac in the military knowing my nature is that of one of whom couldn't kill but also of one whom would die to save a brother so when i do stand amongst the losses it hits me very profound!... as did this poem and the salutation as I salute your efforts

[Neville]

I not only share many of your views regarding the futility and sorrow that both underpins and remains in the wake of war.. being of the kongo zen persuasion myself, despite having served in the Royal Air Force, could never knowingly be responsible for extinguishing any another life.... Floyd are right up there for me too sir but have only managed to see them once live.... Bless ya my friend and brother....I do so appreciate the sentiment you left for me here..... Neville

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I particularly love your last three lines. war is a waste and our Anzac Day. Is coming up later this month in Australia and Nz a day I get up watch the city march on tv till 12 goes all morning then watch re run documentaries all day on war I’ve had dad and uncles and aunties serve in ww2 and my brother went to Vietnam ..... I can’t go to city too crowded for me but yes I loved your poem it’s sad that war has probably affected every single country on earth such a waste of lives

[Neville]

I am honoured by your visit to these words & can wholly relate to what you say.. there is probably not one of us globally that has not been touched in someway by the ridiculousness of war... The Anzacs are of course very much in my mind at this time of year.... I hope to visit OZ and NZ maybe in November this year....... Neville

[Beccy]

When I was at uni, I visited the Cambridge American Cemetery several times. No particular reason, but I was drawn to it, as many of my fellow students were. I was very young and found it overwhelmingly sad that such a place existed; it pointed out the folly of war in a way words never could. My son is now twelve, I pray such a place will be be his final resting place.

Beccy.

[Neville]

Beccy.. these cemeteries for our war dead are some of the most beautiful and peaceful places around.. they are maintained by the War graves commission and approx 15,000 headstones are re-engraved annually whilst many more are replaced due to natural erosion.. Thank you so much for visiting this page.. I can hardly believe the lad is almost a teenager... I feel so very old all of a sudden.. :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

War takes away, it does not give, except for stark memories of those lost...
and as Dylan wrote....for some reason there are those who think we don't count the dead when God's on our Side...but is he really on anyone's when it comes to war.
your poem not only took me to the graves of fallen soldiers....but also another form of massacre..the white crosses of prejudice...the hate that has been strewn across the land as racial hatred still exists.
this poem really moved me...
and is still moving me...
j.

[Neville]

There is absolutely no doubt about it jacob sir.. you have just made my day.. I am chuffed to bits as we say here in the UK.... Cheers, Neville

[Sneh]

A tribute to masters of graveland, this is touching and beyond emotional dialect dear Neville.. Humble words are summing up and building great respect towards them.... Thank you for letting us read your wonderful work!! :)

[Neville]

I dont know what to say.. except thank you my friend and then when measured against your words of encouragement, thank you seems almost inadequate...... but I do thank you Sneh and true... N :)

[Ted Kniffen]

A beautiful tribute for all those fallen who lay in those massive cemeteries. I have not seen those in Europe, but I have seen the National Cemetery in Hawaii at Punchbowl Crater, as well as The Wall in Washington for the dead of Vietnam, and yet the most touching I think is the British Cemetery on Ocracoke Island North Carolina, that contains the remains of 4 British soldiers washed ashore after the sinking of the Bedfordshire in WW2. The small cemetery is land ceded to Britain for as long as the men remain buried there.

A good write, Neville

[Neville]

Thank you so very much Ted, not only for the nod of encouragement, but for the additional information you provided regarding those fallen far beyond our shores... Many thanks again and here's wishing you All Good Things, neville

[Wild Rose]

In some far distant foreign field is a little part of the United Kingdom
Marked by a white headstone placed by and cared for by the United Kingdome War Graves Commission

Line on line shoulder to shoulder marked as they once stood

In the morning and with the going down of the sun
We will remember them

[Neville]

You are indeed correct sir... I make an annual pilgrimage to both France & Belgium for the purposes of paying my respects and saying thank you..... Oh' and thank you too my friend.... Neville

[Wild Rose]

Friends I served with, went to school with, family members - still in France, wounded left with life long problems
We dont get to France Son now attends in our place, commanding the local cadet force at the annual parade

[Neville]

There is nothing quite so moving as being in attendance at the Menin Gate when the daily 20.00 hrs Last Post is played...