Voices of Old Men

Not truly a poem or an essay.

Voices of Youth
Once filled with
The joys of Life

Voices of Youth
Taken away
In a Time gone by
In a far off land
In a war none understood

Voices of Men
Now changed
Voices torn
Screams of Rage
Screams of Pain

Voices now worn
And cracked
Too much tobacco
Too much alcohol
Too many drugs
Too much pain

Voices now worn
Burying memories
Of the Past.

Voices of Old Men
Voices now weak
Voices now tired
Voices that will
Never again
Speak so loud.

Yet hear me now
Let not the Voices
Of those now returning
Grow dim

NOW hold out
The Hand
Of Help
Of Understanding
And of Compassion

Reviews

[emmajoy]

Such is the tragedy of war and what it does to men, to fighters. It rips them into pieces - physically and mentally, just as their actions tear their victims bodies and lands apart.

'Yet hear me now
Let not the Voices
Of those now returning
Grow dim

NOW hold out
The Hand
Of Help
Of Understanding
And of Compassion'

Your sensitive, incredible words express more than a book could. They should be THE warning to and for Mankind. War isn't the answer, the ones that fought know that.

The way you've actually set out the poem adds to its pace, makes the reader read more slowly and, consequently, SEE the words.

[Winter McPherson]

This is very much a poem - and a good one. Makes me think of Viet Nam veterans. I don't know if I'm on target with that or not. Has a very sad tone to it, goes to the heart.

[Poeticpiers]

I enjoyed your writing Well presented in poetic prose But consider this Is it not always the voices of old men in government who send the young men to fight for some ill concieved cause.Old men voices carry authority without needing to shout

[Deborah Leah Krempa]

Good writing, Thank you for sharing, debileah