Once They Were Soldiers

"Greater love hath no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13

The conversation was lively

and smoke filled the air.

The coffee pots were empty

but no one seemed to care.

Their weathered brows, furrowed

as they struggled hard to hear

the string of combat stories

going strong after all these years.

The tales of guns and roses

 filling hearts with certain yearning

to visit  far off places

and recapture campfires burning.

Paying tribute to the ones who died

long buried but not forgotten

eyes welling up with salty tears

they raise their hands to salute them.

Those gallant, elderly gentlemen

now silver haired and getting older

reminiscing about days gone by

were once American soldiers.

 

 

Author's Note

This is a poem I wrote a few years ago. I added the 4th stanza to commemorate Memorial Day.

Reviews

[W. Barrett Munn]

I think it wonderful of you to commemorate those who sacrificed for us. I think you might also enjoy a poem by Wallace Stevens titled: Death of a Soldier.
Winston

[Dara]

Thank you so much. Yes, I will definitely want to read the poem by Stevens. My father was in the Navy a little over a year during WWII but it had a huge impact on him for the rest of his life.

[W. Barrett Munn]

War does that to you. I never really recovered from Vietnam although I was not in the services ever.

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem for the old soldiers. Now I became one.
"Their weathered brows, furrowed
as they struggled hard to hear
the string of combat stories
going strong after all these years."
I did like the above lines. I do early to the Military holidays. I pay respect to the POW and I talk with the old timers. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Dara]

God bless you and thank you for your service then and now. We must forever keep them in our thoughts and prayers lest we forget their sacrifice. I only wish more people would act as you do. Thank you so much!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Dara and thank you.

[Betty Hermelee]

A lovely poem about remembering, especially those soldiers who dies, who could have been comrades of of these elders...Stories of long ago, the war the losses.."tales of guns and roses"....now sitting in their rockers hard of hearing, drinking whatever and enjoying the camaraderie.
Nicely told Dara.
Best, B

[Dara]

Thank you very much. My dad would have been one of the men gathering. He was in the Navy for less than two years but the memories stayed with him for a lifetime. So nice to see you here. Take care!

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Dara!
Best, B

[Robert Haigh]

We should remember the sacrifices these people made. I am British, and my father fought in WW2, and his father fought in WW1 before him. I visited Cassino, in Italy, several years back, with my youngest son. My father was there during the conflict, and although he survived, he lost several friends there. It was a moving experience seeing all those graves, but I was pleased to see how immaculate the whole graveyard was kept. Some of the Gurkhas who fought and died at Cassino were only 15-years of age! That should never have been allowed to happen, but that's another story!

[Dara]

How sad to have sent out such young men to have their lives ended in a flash. With the war in Ukraine it’s like history repeating itself. I hate to think of the brave men and women soldiers and civilians losing their lives over the whims of one greedy, contemptuous old man. May all of their sacrifices not be made in vain. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on my poem. Be safe!

[Mari' Emeraude]

Oh my! This is one to tuck away in my favorites!! I loved the way you expressed these proud men sharing tales of their military service. I could just see them all sitting around the table, straining to hear each other.

[Dara]

Thank you so much. My father, before he passed away, would make daily trips to a local coffee shop where he and several other WWII vets would gather. I never attended any of these, but I had a clear picture in my mind what it may have looked like.

[Levi Levin]

Great work Dara! I enjoyed the tribute.

[Dara]

Thank you! It is a small gesture for those who have sacrificed so much. Your visit is much appreciated. 😊