Blood And Stone

For our fallen brethren this November 11th.

Poppies lean against white stone
heart-red sentries stand alone,
fallen soldiers now here lie
gone without their last goodbye.

There are those that still remember
these fallen souls this November.
Gold star mothers softly cry
and wonder why they had to die.

Against forgotten winds of yore,
fought and died far from our shores.
We owe them more than mere bouquets.
feel deep their loss this Armistice Day.

Author's Note

Armistice Day (which overlaps with Remembrance Day and Veterans Day) is celebrated every year on 11 November to commemorate the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918.

And that is why it is always celebrated on the 11th of the month and the day or date is never moved to make a long weekend like most other holidays.

Reviews

[TL Boehm]

A fitting tribute. We owe them so much.

[icelandicblue]

So very true.

[SkinlessFrank]

Reminds me of one of the saddest places i ever visited....Vimy Ridge, near Arras in France

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Frank, I'm sorry you could relate to this.

[Sharon L.H. Kelly]

I especially enjoyed the first stanza, such vivid imagery. I felt as though I was standing at my father's grave. This is a lovely tribute and remembrance,

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Sharon. We must always remember and I thank you for remembering with me.

[Muse]

Hats off my friend. This is a poem that comes straight from the heart. Sorry I feel that I'm late reading it, but you can't put an expiration date on respect.

[icelandicblue]

There is never any rush Muse. I'm happy to see you anytime and thanks for the comment.

[writing mojo]

a great tribute piece for the soldiers, this has just the right amount of imagery to make one feel the loss with respect set more than half mast...great piece

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for your kind comment.

[Joyce S. Greene]

A heart-breaking tribute to those who "gave it all." Thanks for writing and sharing your moving poem with us.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Joyce.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I am most grateful to read your poem and your side-note, it was moving and a perfect fit for Remembrance Day

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for reading. I am happy that it touched you on this day.

[Mark]

THank you for the reminder and the history! I have to wonder if I ever knew this about Armistice Day> :)

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Mark, I'm a teacher, it's in my bones- thanks so much for remembering, reading and commenting.

[Mark]

I'm a fan of history. "those that don't know... '

[lee von cleef]

foot prints on the soul,Food for the whole, the empty place, cool in the center of a heart that once beat so true, now wrapped in the world of fast pace loss, but once, they stood their ground, Stood together, young hickory Defiant,True so we could wrap the chilly today thoughtless around us.

[icelandicblue]

You are right, the young hickory defiant and the chilly thoughtlessness of today. Not everyone has forgotten lee, it may not be enough but not everyone has forgotten. Thank you for commenting.

[lee von cleef]

My Father said it best to me, in two thoughts, "Pard there is a lot of Loss in War" and "Complacency will get you killed"

[icelandicblue]

A wise man your father. Thank you for sharing that.

[lee von cleef]

Casey a kinda Zen Cowboy, "a good roper, can rope with any rope"

[kublakhan27]

When I think of those that died after the armistice was reached, but before the news got to them, that's when it really hits home for me. They really do make the ultimate sacrifice. Well said my friend...it's unfathomable to feel passive towards this facet of life after reading your words here.

[icelandicblue]

I agree it's hard to turn up your nose at what happened when real people fought and dies for us. Thanks so much.