Brotherly Love

Those who live forever bonded round a fire and hearth, spin their tales Are stories truly worth the cost of a poor mother's cries and wails

Two friends upon a battlefield

one left on the ground as he dies

In a foxhole, the other sits

listening to his mate's poor, cries

 

The first man wanted to save his mate

but the Sergeant said, not to go

"You'll only kill yourself instead"

"I can't leave him that's all I know"

 

The Sergeant went to turn away

as the first man dove from the hole

"I have to save my friend," he said

"if it costs my immortal, soul"

 

Minutes later he slid back in

clutching his dead friend, in his arms

Mortally wounded, he was now

blood was pouring, from both forearms

 Laid to rest within his friends arms

"a waste" said the Sergeant, to some

"When I found him, he was alive

his last breath said" "I knew you'd come"

 

Those who live forever bonded

round a fire and hearth, tell the tales

Are stories told, worth the cost

of a poor mother's, cries and wails

 

Ask a man to die for country

he will die for his friend instead
But no matter why it happens

the poor man is still surely dead

 

Could we strive to be something more

than a tombstone, upon the ground

Is death the true test of friendship

when Taps plays, the ultimate sound

 

If we don't learn to love, brothers

extinction will be how Man ends

It's hard to live a life of pride

at the cost of so many friends

 

 

Author's Note

Christ said " No greater love has any man than to lay down his life for a friend"
While war seems the ultimate test of this tenant. It is the ultimate shame of humanity. While I see the need of it in WW1 and WW2. These skirmishes since have been needless waste. Humanity will destroy itself if it doesn't stop this. If we don't find the way to forgo war we will all surly die from the shame of it. The countless women and children killed by it are enough reason.

Reviews

[Ashley]

This is so sad. I feel bad for their loss. They fight for our country. War is horrible and should never happen. Sadly it always does. Very well written poem. 100/100

[Audrey Howitt]

And see, I wonder if we need to stay connected to find and keep the soul alive. Your poem raises that question for me again. Thank you for a satisfying read-so well done!

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

I must say, that I have alwasy been facinated with the inherent obligation to our friends. I'm not saying I'm any better because I'm not, I'd lay down and die for my friends, so in the battle field that feeling must be amplified ten fold. I like how you use the scolding of the superior, it focuses the reader as to the seriousness of the piece, no longer will command and protocol be upheld, when a man lays dying, a very strong, highy emotions piece, well done, great read.

[Greg the Bard]

You should check out the song by Don McLean titled "The Grave". It's on the American Pie Album. This is a great write about something that continues to go on despite those of use that was on the front lines seeing our best friends die. I was one of those guys. The only difference between me and them is that I survied. LUCKY me ..... right?

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Tate, I'm going to learn to have a box of tissue when I read your poems. This was sad but oh so true of how this happens! War is nonesense to me because so many died and for what? it doesn't chang nothing just causes more pain and war! Excellent poem

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

My goodness Tate. This is beautiful and wise. I was truly touched.
You have talent for addressing the most crucial issues of man with
elegance and class.

[iand63]

have you seen any painting by paul nash after he served in the trenches? they are soul numbing images of the ability we possess for utter destruction. this work puts me in mind of those paintings.

i like the structure of this poem the allusion to heroism in the first half is well countered by the questioning nature of the second half. well conceived.

[Misty Blue Eyes]

this made me cry... i loved this so much GREAT WRITE

[Ladysue]

this was very moving indeed!

[LadyNaida]

Yes, this is so very true Tate. Unfortunately a lot of good people have lost their lives in war. The sad part about that are the people that are left behind to mourn the loss. Beautiful and heartfelt write.