Aftermath

A poem to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of WW1

After the battle was won

Victory parades, music and revelries done

Everybody returned home

To forget the nightmare years

So full of anxiety and fear

 

They didn’t want to know

Wounded soldiers on the street

Looking away rather than see

The damage their actions had wreaked

 

Those stupid people with white feathers

And the jingoism of others

Drove a knife into England’s heart

Tearing it apart

 

Mothers and sweethearts cried

For the sons and lovers who died

Instead of a happy life

With children and a loving wife

They lay side by side

Forever silent - no one cared

At least it how it seems

 

Sacrificed and remembered

By no one at all

What was it all for?

Reviews

[Beccy]

One of the deadliest conflicts in human history; and yet, what was it all for? Almost impossible to give an answer as to why the world tore itself to shreds at that time.

As to victory parades, there were no real winners, but oh so many losers, my great grandfather on my mother's side being one of them.

Your poem hits a deep nerve.


Beccy.

[Mary]

Bobby, thank you for sharing this poignant, powerful poem. Profound and so well done.

[emmajoy]

Still as relevant.. still as poignant

but then, it always will be. History has so much to answer for... and still it continues, year after year after year. ..

[charlie]

WW1 was a sick game of brutish chess rigged from the start.

[Bobbie Coelho]

Thank you for your review

[emmajoy]

Methinks to honour the First World War.. with words so gentle yet same time, specific. Your poem is so finely put, without frills but how it pulls at the heartstrings, Bobbie.

I can only assume that every war that's ever been was/is a rehearsal for that final one when Man as we know him will be blown out of sight

Thank you for sharing sad but very worthy thoughts and feelings

[Bobbie Coelho]

Thank you for reviewing this, Emma, I know how busy you are xx

[Samuel Dickens]

There's that question--the one that cries to be answered time and again. Indeed, what was the reason for so much death and suffering? If we could learn our lesson and make war never again, there might be some hope for us. This is excellent. Thank you for writing it.

[Bobbie Coelho]

Thank you for your kind comments, they are really appreciated.