Comradeship

My first poem which I wrote in December 2007. Dedicated to a dear friend I met after 30 years of not seeing each other.

 

(Inspired by the untimely death of

colleague and good friend Andy Longhurst)

 

 

As servicemen have always done, we soldier many years,

We witness so much laughter, we witness many tears.

Whilst we serve there may come times, we stop to wonder why,

We've survived through conflicts, where so many had to die.

 

 

Though my career has ended, my memories are still strong,

Of all the men I knew back then, some guided me along.

We learn so much from our mistakes, we make them on the way,

It's with the aid of comrades, that things turn out okay.

 

 

I believe it's in the training, it's in those early years,

It's in those days of hardship, when we learn to face our fears.

For some it wasn't easy, we really got quite stressed,

But when we looked around us, we realised we were blessed.

 

 

Some people like reunions, they chat and dance and drink,

Others are much more content, to just sit back and think.

I am of the latter type, I've come to realise,

I am one of many, who's not quite broke the ties.

 

 

It's not because I don't enjoy, the thoughts of looking back,

Be it Berlin, Northern Ireland, The Falklands or Iraq.

We went to these, we did our job, and did it as we ought,

But now that it's all over, I like to spare a thought.

 

 

For those that have survived those years, and passed away through time,

Some had done the family thing, their lives became sublime.

The loved ones of these men will grieve, with love the years can't sever,

We knew them as our comrades - and as that they'll live forever...

Author's Note

I've written 350 poems since this but I still appreciate feedback.