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

[Dayran]

Its always difficult commenting on the death of another, especially when one has come close to it oneself. Suffice to say that a person believed in what he was doing and did it with courage and he wouldn't have done it any other way. However, to have survived it, one does in a sense overcome death, for a while.

[Norma M Sutton]

Beautifully penned.

[Cristal Bridges]

What an extremely moving piece! You have captured the brutality, sadness, but overall reality of what it would be like on a battlefield. So many lives lost for no reason. So many mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters having to bury loved ones.

Truly a moving piece about something so tragic. Great work!

[KAREN]

I really felt this right to the core of my heart. Very sad story, things really needs to change in his world we live in.

[Lily Mae]

One of my favorites of yours. A very intense and powerful story.. And your so right...we need to change,..xx

[anne p. murray- LadeeAn..]

This poem, these words, quite literally tore at my heart. You wote this so exceptionally I am left qpeechless, in awe of it all. If I could rate it over 100, I would give it 1000

[xjust-for-me.x]

a most beautiful heartfelt poem...ty you for sharing it with us.

[Valentine]

Both of my brothers served in the Korean war, both lost friends and comrades..both have been gone a long time..One could talk about it..The other..not a word to his wife...yet to me he did when I was a little kid..Sad how people can't get along...we all are brothers under the skin..lol and God bless..Kathie

[EMF]

A truth captured on page with poetry and prose. A wonderful story and theme. Wonderfully written by a craftsman.