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

[Elaenor Aisling]

True love hath no man than this, than he who lays down his life for his friend. A very beautiful poem with a beautiful message.

[SarahRose]

The man adopted me faught in World War II. He was on a ship in Pearl Harbor and the ship was hit by a bomb. His best friend purposly threw his body on top of my Father and saved his life. Of course his buddy died. My Father was terribly injured and given a Purple Heart. When they buried his friend my Father placed his Purple Heart in his had and said, "He deserves this more than I do." He is now 95 years old and still sends Money to his buddy's wife and he said, "It is the least I could do". I was deeply moved by this piece and this story is why I wrote "Red, White & Blue". Back to this piece, you perfectly portrayed war and humanity will destroy itself if the only resolution to differences is war. Your words were moving yet any age or walk of life can comprehend your message. You have painted a Masterpiece Tate, and you didn't even use a paintbrush.

[Pradnya]

WOW !! SUCH A GREAT POEM YOU HAVE WRITTEN TATE, I LOVED IT, THANKS FOR SHARING SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF WORK

[John Jackson (El Juero)]

I like the message conveyed here. Your story is solid. I will gladly die for a friend, or for what i know is right. This fine poem gives the reader pause for reflection.


Just click on my profile and pick one, Tate.

[tynamite]

Your poem touches upon many things at once in such an intriguing way. Beyond the story you told, you tell the inner strength of the human spirit to stand up for the ones they love in the darkest hour, while highlighting both the necessary and infantile nature of war at the same time. This is actually really clever.

[~Blue Fantasy~]

Great write! Sometimes we just don't understand what goes on between friends on the battlefield. What an honorable friend, to lay down his own life for his friend lying there waiting to die. This was truly heartfelt!

[Fran Marie]

When I found him he was alive

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

you really capture what the test of brotherly love is all about and what resides in the souls of men who take comfort in true friend- ships ....being there for one another...beautifully touching, penned piece which brings tears to my eyes... and so well expressed in poetic verse....you write like no other

[roarke]

You'd think these words would never have to be written.
Maybe if not for the shred of humanity still clinging on, man would have long ago consumed himself in the process of his flaws.
You plant the seeds Tate, we'll till the field.

[The Analog Kid]

I am not a pacifist, but I think we need to be much wiser with our military. This is very touching. I will send it to my buddy in the Marines. He did several tours in Iraq. He knows of what you speak. Friends and mates do transcend even the ugliness of war.

[Kenneth The Poet]

War and mass murder are the ultimate punchlines to our delusions of grandeur. What you said can't be said any better, Tate.

A fine write indeed.