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

[Allen Smuckler]

Poignant, sensitive, beautiful, timely, heroic
pick one....or all of the above
so many die for both (country and friends) ... devotion and love
such a shame...what a waste, when a few have the power, greed and inhumanity to wage war .. while the masses suffer and perish.
speaks volumes,
Great write, Tate
allen

[Marie Harrison]

Was a very touching poem. Soldiers, serviceman and policeman share this common bond often. SWAT team officers do anything for each other also.
I can't imagine a bond so strong. But I know I'd do the same thing for someone
that I loved too. Glad you posted this poem.

[Mark]

As long as Mankind want what their neighbors have (Covetousness, Envy); as long as they feel they are better or more worthy, or believe others are less or nothing (Pride); as long as Death is considered an acceptable means to an end (Murder); in other words, as long as the Ruler of this present world is who he is, there will always be War. All we can do is influence one heart at a time to abandon these reckless and wasteful attitudes, and you, Tate, have very effectively influenced many with this lovely and heartfelt piece.
FYI: "Sergeant", "surely".

[Rei]

What a powerful piece of artwork. I do agree with the message of this poem; we have to help one another out and care about our fellow man. I guess conflict is inevitable but it would be great if it didn't cost lives. This was beautiful, I would not change a thing about it.

[Kelly M.]

"No greater love has any man than this; that he who lay down his life for a friend." You took the words right out of my mouth. You painted a beautiful picture of a man who would do anything for his dying friend. Heartbreaking. Your poems are full of such lessons and truth. ;)

[Dane Osborne]

Yes it is inspiring to know that loyalty among friends and loved ones can endure such horrific circumstances. But that the horrific circumstances happened for a pointless reason makes it tragic as well as absurd. This was a well written poem and well thought out.

[Akroma]

Beautiful poetry is enjoyable. Effective poetry provokes emotion. This is both. Well done, it seems I must visit your page more often.

[Richard Williams]

A fine contrast, that of war and love, love of brother and of fellow man. War is indeed such a waste, but then again so is the hate and petty differences than often spawn such wars. A good piece, vivid in its images of the soldiers and the wounds.

[Jessi Leigh]

"Ask a man to die for country
he will die for his friend instead" and a beautiful closing stanza... I really like your work. The heart is the most powerful weapon, most of us just don't know how to use it :(

[Enigma]

As always, words that touched my heart. I won't quote certain lines because every single one of them had the same awe-inspiring effect on me. How crudely and yet beautifully, you have put forth the miseries and sorrow of war claiming countless of lives and pitched in the bright spark of love that a soldier shared with his friend. An exceptional write. Very well penned. :)